We’ve never heard of a Hawaiian Strategy Studio either…
…but we felt Hawai‘i needed one. DTL (detail) is a multidisciplinary studio that helps businesses, governments, organizations, and communities navigate change. Our unique approach, moves clients from where they are to where they need to be.
We’ve built a respected reputation within our community as a creative interpreter of culture through planning and design. Our deep understanding and knowledge of Hawai‘i’s sensibilities and sensitivities has resulted in successfully facilitating dialogs, bridging perspectives and developing appropriate collaborative solutions to both challenging issues and exciting opportunities within our community.
OUR CLIENTS
KŌKUA
DTL is committed to our community and culture and giving back through in-kind kōkua. 20 percent of our time is spent providing in-kind kōkua to support projects, non-profits and causes that champion the community and culture.
Our process + services
We frame our practice within a Hawaiian sense of place, because to know a place is to know its environment, its people, and its culture across time. Place sits at the intersection of Hawai‘i’s past and future, the physical and the cultural. Understanding it gives way to opportunities, obstacles, and points of convergence. We know that with each client, the best way forward is a matter of orientation — where you come from, where you are, and where you’re going. If strategy is a process of repositioning, we believe that success requires the alignment of a client’s genealogy, journey, stories and values.
OUR PROCESS IS CENTERED IN OUR CULTURAL METHODOLOGY
GENEALOGY
We begin every project as close as we can get to its source, and through cultural and historical research, we trace its lineage, origin to outcome.
STORIES
Navigation is both science and art, and we bring a diverse network of expertise to ensure the utilization of both. Listening to the stories of a place and its people shows you the way forward.
JOURNEYS
From visuals and messaging to presentation and promotion, we deliver the story of a future that you and your stakeholders tell together.
VALUES
We help you know your values so you can better share them through what you create. Hawai‘i is a complex place to do business, and in order to embrace change, you must know why you excel.
OUR SERVICES
STRATEGY
Positioning
Training
Coaching
Executive Placement
Entitlements
PLANNING
Community Engagement
Cultural Integration
Placemaking
Events
Cultural Programming
DESIGN
Branding
Graphic Design
Content Development
Web/Mobile Development
Environmental Graphics
COMMUNICATIONS
Public Relations
Crisis Management
Media Relations & Training
Social Media
Translations
STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Featured Work
Let’s Talk Story
725 Kapi‘olani Blvd, 4th Floor
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813
(808) 593-3048
@dtlhawaii
We’re counting down to Heleuī with a few more of Hawaiʻi’s spookiest stories 👻
One of Oʻahu`s most well-known urban legends is Morgan`s Corner in the Nuʻuanu Pali area. The story tells of a young couple who parked under an old tree one night. When their car wouldn`t start, the boy left to find help, leaving his girlfriend alone. She fell asleep to scraping sounds on the roof, thinking it was branches. Police arrived in the morning and asked her to step away, but as she glanced back, she saw it was her boyfriend scraping the car.
Nuʻuanu Pali has a history of eerie happenings. Moʻolelo says that carrying pork over the Pali can anger Pele, breaking a truce with the pig god Kamapuaʻa. Many drivers claim their cars mysteriously stall until they throw the pork out. The Pali was also the site of a bloody battle between the armies of King Kamehameha I and Maui chief Kalanikupule. Many warriors fell off the cliff during the battle, and their ghosts are often seen at night today.
PC: Mysteries of Hawaiʻi
#culture #community #hawaii #halloween #halloweenstories #halloweenhawaii #ghoststory #pali #nuuanupali #nuuanupalilookout #morganscorner
October is Kalo Appreciation Month, celebrating the relationship between kānaka and ʻāina 🌱
Once the staple food for our kūpuna, kalo faced a decline with the arrival of Westerners, leading to the loss of traditional farming practices. Today, 80-90% of Hawaiʻi`s food is imported, but a growing movement for food sovereignty is taking root.
Native Hawaiian youth are at the forefront, working to restore the land, support local farmers, and ensure that kalo and other native crops thrive once again. The new generation embodies hope for revitalizing traditional practices and we encourage these keiki to keep the conversation going.
Take part by learning more about kalo and incorporating it into your diet. You can also volunteer your time in a loʻi kalo with organizations like @kakoooiwi, @hookuaaina, @nohoanafarm, and @kanewai_hawaii.
PC: @nohoanafarm
#dtl #dtlhawaii #culture #community #hawaii #loi #loikalo #kalo #taro #kaloappreciationmonth
As Halloween approaches, we`re excited to share some of Hawaiʻi`s chicken skin stories and urban legends.
Since the 1930s, there have been countless reports of sightings of Pele, the goddess of fire. She is often described as either a young woman with black or blonde hair or an elderly woman, sometimes accompanied by a dog.
One well-known legend tells of Pele appearing on an isolated road, either standing or walking. When offered a ride by passing drivers, she accepts. However, it is said that those who ignore her may face misfortune, with their homes destroyed or their cars stalled. On Hawaiʻi Island, many people advise to never turn away an elderly woman because she might be Madame Pele.
#culture #community #hawaii #halloween #halloweenstories #halloweenhawaii #ghoststory #saddleroad #pele #pelehawaii #pelehawaiiangoddess
I ka wā ma mua, ka wā ma hope.
The future is found in the past.
Today is International Archaeology Day, which invites us to reflect on the significance of cultural preservation and the stewardship of sacred sites. By looking back at our history, we build a foundation that informs our present actions and future direction.
Archaeologists play a key role in this process, ensuring that what we learn today becomes part of the legacy we leave for tomorrow. Our sister company, ʻĀina Archaeology, is among the many groups dedicated to safeguarding the stories, artifacts, and landscapes that define Hawaiʻi`s history. Through their commitment to mālama ʻāina, they help ensure that future generations remain deeply connected to these sacred spaces.
Follow @ainaarchaeology to learn more about archaeology in Hawaiʻi!
#dtl #dtlhawaii #hawaiianculture #community #hawaii #internationalarchaeologyday #hawaiianarchaeology #archaeologyday
“Today, I, a poor, weak girl, with not one of my people near me and all of these ‘Hawaiian’ statesmen against me, have the strength to stand up for the rights of my people.
Even now I can hear their wail in my heart, and it gives me strength and I am strong. Strong in the faith of God, strong in the knowledge that I am right, strong in the strength of seventy million people who in this free land will hear my cry and will refuse to let their flag cover dishonor to mine!”
Princess Kaʻiulani, born on October 16, 1875, exemplified the grace and leadership of a true aliʻi. When the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1893, she was studying in England but traveled to the U.S. to rally support for the kingdom`s restoration. Though her efforts did not succeed, Kaʻiulani dedicated the rest of her life to advocating for the rights of her people under the US government.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #culture #community #hawaii #princesskaiulani #kaiulani #hauolilahanau #alii
On Indigenous Peoples` Day, we pause to recognize and honor the Indigenous cultures around the world. Here in Hawaiʻi, we celebrate our own culture, the ʻike of our kūpuna, and the practices that connect us to this ʻāina and each other.
At DTL, we recognize our collective responsibility to protect and perpetuate Hawaiʻi for future generations. We strive to uplift the voices and stories of Native Hawaiian and Indigenous communities. Through our work, we remain committed to ensuring that Indigenous knowledge continues to thrive in every aspect of life.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #culture #community #hawaii #indigenouspeople #indigenouspeoplesday #nativehawaiian #nativehawaiianpeople
#DTLProjectHighlight ~ Baldwin Beach Park, located in the ahupuaʻa of Hāmākuapoko on Maui`s north shore near Pāʻia, was used by our kūpuna for fishing and resource gathering. In the mid-1800s, the land transitioned to commercial agriculture, coming under the control of Alexander & Baldwin (A&B) as the sugar industry developed.
The land eventually evolved into the Baldwin Beach Park recreational space in the mid-20th century. In 2014, Maui County acquired land from A&B and expanded the park. Today, Baldwin Beach Park is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
In 2020, DTL collaborated with the Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation on the Baldwin Beach Park Master Plan, focusing on enhancing safety and family-friendliness. DTL`s role as Project Manager included managing landscape architects and coastal consultants throughout the project. In addition, DTL facilitated dialogue with the community and Project Advisory Committee Meetings; hosted and managed three community open houses; and conducted knowledge leader interviews.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #communityengagement #projectmanager #projectmanagement #hawaii #paia #paiatown #baldwinbeach #baldwinbeachpark
October invites us to share a few of our favorite spooky stories and eerie encounters 👻 Did you know that Hawaiʻi boasts its own unique collection of moʻolelo and ghostly tales?
One moʻolelo revolves around Kāneana, also known as Mākua Cave, located in Waiʻanae on Oʻahu.
Kāmohoaliʻi, the king of sharks and a powerful shapeshifter, had a son, Nanaue, with a human woman named Kalei. Nanaue inherited his father`s dual nature and, as he grew older, developed an insatiable hunger for human flesh. He lured unsuspecting victims into Kāneana Cave, where he would devour them.
Nanaue`s secret was eventually uncovered, leading to his capture and death. However, many believe that the souls of his victims still haunt the cave. There are even reports of a creature with glowing red eyes emerging from its depths. Some say the cave is a portal to the underworld, and it`s considered by many to be a powerful source of psychic energy.
PC: Honolulu Magazine
#culture #community #hawaii #halloween #halloweenstories #halloweenhawaii #ghoststories #makua #makuabeach
#DTLProjectHighlight ~ Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, the teaching of the Hawaiian language was banned in schools. It wasn’t until 1982, a century later, that a group of Hawaiian language educators met to discuss ways to perpetuate the language. They knew that creating Hawaiian Medium Education schools was essential to preserving the language.
The first ʻAha Pūnana Leo preschool was established in Kekaha, Kauaʻi in 1984, followed by schools on other islands. ʻAha Pūnana Leo has since become a global model for language revitalization, playing a pivotal role in lifting a 90-year ban on teaching Hawaiian in schools and advocating for the protection of indigenous languages.
In 2022, DTL Hawaiʻi supported @ahapunanaleo by developing a public relations strategy to boost enrollment, showcase the haumāna and kumu of ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, and identify stories that highlight the mission, vision, and values of the school. DTL created a media calendar to ensure consistent messaging, coordinated media interviews, tracked coverage, and provided media training to spokespeople.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #hawaiianculture #hawaiicommunity #hawaii #makena #publicrelations #socialmedia #olelohawaii #ahapunanaleo #hawaiianimmersion #hawaiianimmersionpreschool
For over two decades, our sister firm, @wcitarch, has been an award-winning design leader, known for weaving Hawaiian values and cultural narratives into every project. From hospitality and residential spaces to public and commercial designs, their work is all about creating meaningful connections to place.
October is Architecture Month, and we’re thrilled to see WCIT featured in @aiahonolulu annual Firm Crawl! This is your chance to visit the WCIT office, meet the talented architects and designers, and learn more about their latest projects.
Join us on October 4th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM for a FREE open house. Grab drinks, eat pupus, and connect with the creative minds shaping Hawaiʻi’s landscape 🤙🏼
#architecture #hawaiiarchitecture #designfirm #hawaii #hawaiidesign #aiahonolulu #aiafirmcrawl #aiahonolulufirmcrawl #aiahonolulufirmcrawl2024
🏡 Making financial and housing decisions in Hawaiʻi can feel overwhelming. Getting advice from a trusted expert can make a huge difference, but we know that sometimes the title of the person helping you can feel intimidating.
So we want your input! If you were looking for someone to guide you, which title would make you feel the most comfortable and supported?
👇 Comment below or vote in the poll! 👇
➡️ Coach
➡️ Consultant
➡️ Alakaʻi
➡️ Specialist
Your opinion helps us better serve our community—mahalo for sharing!
@hiffhawaii is hosting its 44th Fall Festival featuring over 200 films, including 92 feature films, 114 shorts, 40 world premieres, and 31 U.S. premieres!
Tickets are now available for screenings from October 3-13 at Consolidated Theatres Kahala, with additional showings from October 15 to November 10 on Oʻahu`s West Side and neighboring islands.
🎬 Check out the films that we`re most excited to see.
#hawaii #hawaiiinternationalfilmfestival #hiffhawaii #hawaiifilm #filmfestival #hiff44