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
Kailua was an early settlement for Native Hawaiians, who flourished on its fertile lands and abundant natural resources. Farmers cultivated kalo in the loʻi and also grew dryland crops like kalo, banana, sweet potato, and sugarcane, while fishermen harvested from the rich fishponds and nearby ocean. By 1750, Kailua was the Royal Center of power for the district of Koʻolaupoko and a favored place of the O‘ahu chiefs.
In the late 1940s and 1950s, Kailua experienced a rapid transformation into a residential community, driven by the growing military presence at Kāneʻohe Bay and the development of military housing and infrastructure. In 2013, Alexander & Baldwin (A&B) purchased land holdings from Kaneohe Ranch and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, previous landowners and developers.
DTL worked with A&B in 2015 to develop a comprehensive community engagement strategy for their commercial land holdings in Kailua. This strategy envisioned how cultural and historical research might guide the engagement and planning process moving forward. In doing so, DTL researched the history, culture, and genealogy of Kailua; developed cultural themes; and planned and facilitated internal visioning sessions and focus groups.
#strategy #planning #culture #community #hawaii #communityengagement #kailua #kailuatown
For over two decades, the Native Hawaiian Convention has brought individuals, organizations, and leaders together to address key issues impacting our lāhui. It’s a space to explore cultural preservation, natural resource protection, economic growth, healthcare, education, and Native Hawaiian self-determination.
The multi-day event features panels, workshops, and breakout sessions led by experts and cultural practitioners, creating opportunities for collaboration and action that strengthen Hawaiʻi’s cultural and social foundations.
The upcoming convention is packed with discussions that align with DTL’s core values and promote community-driven impact. Want to know more about the sessions we’re looking forward to? Join our newsletter at dtlhawaii.com for all the details!
The Native Hawaiian Convention will be held on Hawaiʻi Island at Hilton Waikoloa Village, September 17-19. Register through the link here: www.hawaiiancouncil.org/2024convention/
#hawaiianhistorymonth #bigisland #nativehawaiianconvention #cnhaconvention #hawaiianhistory #hawaii #community
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau to Jason! 🎉 From the very start of DTL, Jason has been the expert in all things design. Mahalo for consistently bringing our brand and client projects to life with your unique vision 🌟
#alohalahanau #hauolilahanau #dtlbirthdays #design
ʻUlu, or breadfruit, has a deep-rooted history in Polynesia and holds great value in Hawaiʻi for its versatility, as well as for its role in Hawaiian mythology and history.
Brought by early navigators, ʻulu became an essential crop and food staple. The ʻulu tree was cherished not just for its fruit but also for its leaves and wood. Traditionally, its wood was used for canoes and surfboards, while its leaves were used for sandpaper. Almost all parts of the tree were used in healing. Today, there is renewed interest in ʻulu, highlighting its role in sustainable farming and cultural preservation.
For our Maui ʻohana, Lā ʻUlu on Maui celebrates the ʻulu tree and its cultural significance. @mauinuibg invites the community to Lā ʻUlu - Breadfruit Day on Saturday, September 7th, from 10 AM to 2 PM.
This free event features ʻono ʻulu recipes, presentations, and hands-on activities like making kapa from ʻulu bast, and creating oeoe (kamani nut whistles). Kahanu Garden and the Breadfruit Institute will sell three ʻulu varieties—ʻUlu Fiti, Maʻafala, and Maoli. There will also be an opportunity to sponsor Maoli ʻulu trees for donation to people with fire-affected properties.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #culture #community #hawaii #ulu #breadfruit #laulu #ulutree #hawaiibreadfruit #mauievents #supportlocalmaui
Hawaiian History Month is celebrated in September, honoring the birthday of Queen Liliʻuokalani. Her dedication, contributions, and resilience are central to this month of remembrance and reflection.
Here are some meaningful ways our team is participating this month:
📖 Read the works of Hawaiʻi’s scholars and authors such as "Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen" by Queen Liliʻuokalani or "The Legends and Myths of Hawaiʻi" by David Kalākaua.
🤲🏼 Learn about the influential figures who have played a pivotal role in shaping the identity and future of Hawaiʻi, including Mary Kawena Pukui, Emma Nakuina, George Helm, and Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli.
🗣️ Engage with ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, whether you’re fluent or just beginning. Download the free @actionsofaloha app to gain access to 150+ Hawaiian words and phrases to practice.
📝 Attend educational events and visit historical sites to deepen your understanding of Hawaiian history. The @hawaiiponoicoalition planned a month-long celebration featuring panels, lectures, theatre productions, and more.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #culture #community #hawaii #hawaiianhistorymonth #hawaiianculture #hawaiianhistory #queenliliuokalani #liliuokalani
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau to our last reigning mōʻī, Lydia Lili‘u Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamaka‘eha.
Queen Liliʻuokalani`s legacy is marked by numerous achievements. As a talented musician, she composed many songs including "Aloha ʻOe," and "The Queen’s Prayer.” She supported various causes, creating the Liliʻuokalani Trust for orphaned Hawaiian children, raising funds for Queen’s Hospital, and founding Liliʻuokalani Savings Bank to support economic empowerment. Additionally, she wrote her autobiography, "Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen," providing a personal account of the events leading up to and following the overthrow.
We will always remember Queen Liliʻuokalani for her cultural contributions, her efforts to uplift and protect her people, and her resilience in the face of adversity.
#culture #community #aloha #hauolilahanau #alohalahanau #happybirthday #alohaaina #queenliliuokalani #liliuokalani
Aloha Lā Hānau to our poʻo, Mālia! 🎉 Mahalo for being such an inspiring leader and visionary at DTL. Your passion and dedication continue to uplift and guide us all. Here`s to another year of magic! @makemagicmalia
#alohalahanau #hauolilahanau #dtlbirthdays #makingmagic #maliakaaihue
Our kūpuna recognized that energy is a life-sustaining force present all around us—in our ʻāina, kai, makani, and more. Native Hawaiians have lived in harmony with our natural resources, understanding that sustainability means respecting and harnessing the energy of our environment in a way that honors our connection to the land and our responsibility to future generations.
In 2022, @energyhawaiigov contracted DTL to produce a cultural genealogy as well as to plan, develop, and implement a community outreach and stakeholder engagement program to support their statewide efforts to achieve 100% clean energy by the year 2045.
As we embrace renewable energy today and work toward it in our future, it’s important that we remind ourselves of the values and practices that have guided our people for centuries.
#alohaaina #malamaaina #malamahonua #energizekakou #energy #sustainable #sustainability #hseo #hawaiistateenergy #hawaiistateenergyoffice
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau e Duke Paoa Kahanamoku! Today, we celebrate the life of a true Hawaiian icon—an athlete who shattered records, an Olympic gold medalist, and the father of modern surfing. But beyond his athletic achievements, Duke was the embodiment of aloha, spreading kindness wherever he went 🏄♂️
#dukekahanamoku #duke #waterman #hawaiianicon #legend #surfinglegend #olympicchampion #ambassadorofaloha #happybirthdayduke #theduke #hauolilahanau
The earliest known census in Hawaiʻi can be traced back to the 1500s when ʻUmi-A-Liloa, King of Hawaiʻi Island, had his people place a pōhaku in a pile to represent themselves in their district. In the late 1700s to early 1800s, a konohiki under Kaumualiʻi on Kauaʻi recorded a census in Wainiha Valley, noting over 2,000 people and 65 Menehune. The census was eventually expanded in 1850 and now collects official population counts and detailed data on demographics, housing, and economic status every 10 years.
DTL was contracted by @hawaiicommunityfoundation to provide outreach services for the Hawai‘i Census 2020. Our efforts included coordinating nine community events across Maui, Moloka‘i, Kaua‘i, and Hawai‘i Island to reach at least 200 attendees at each. Additionally, we planned two major events on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, drawing over 2,000 people, and supported marketing, social media, and event execution.
#strategy #planning #hawaii #communityengagement #events #eventplanning #eventplanner #hawaiicommunityfoundation #census #census2020
🎥 Chaperone is a Hilo-made film by Hawai‘i Island filmmaker Zoë Eisenberg. It follows the story of Misha Miyamoto, an emotionally isolated 29-year-old who finds herself drawn into a dangerous relationship with a bright 18-year-old athlete who mistakes her for a fellow student. Shot entirely in Hilo, it features a predominantly AANHPI cast and a talented local crew.
The film has earned major awards, including the Grand Jury Prize for Breakout Feature at the Slamdance Film Festival and Best Narrative Feature at the Vermont Film and Folklore Festival. Zoë’s work proves that award-winning films can emerge from our islands, and she will be an inspiration to the next generation of filmmakers in Hawai‘i.
🎟️ Join our team for a special screening of Chaperone at the Palace Theater in Hilo for the HIFF Hometown Hilo Sneak Peek on August 25th at 7:00 PM, with a post-screening Q&A. Tickets are available now on the theatre website.
Follow @chaperonefilmhawaii on Instagram to get updates!
#chaperonefilmhawaii #hiffhawaii #hometownhilo #hawaiifilms #hilohawaii #hilo #palacetheater #hilopalacetheater
National Nonprofit Day, celebrated every August 17th, honors the incredible organizations that drive positive change and uplift our communities. Here in Hawaiʻi, our local nonprofits uniquely contribute to a brighter future by offering vital resources, support, and inspiring action.
We encourage you to explore and celebrate the nonprofits that resonate with you. Take a moment to recognize their impact, express your gratitude, and consider supporting their missions through volunteering or donations. Here are a few organizations that align with the values and passions of our team:
🤲🏼 @hulapreservationsociety: Preserving the language and music of hula for future generations
🤲🏼 @namakakai: Fostering deep connections between our youth and the ocean
🤲🏼 @hui_o_na_wai_eha: Protecting and restoring the streams of Nā Wai ʻEhā
🤲🏼 @keuthebrand: Expanding Hawaiian Medium Education opportunities locally and globally
#nonprofit #nationalnonprofitday #hawaiinonprofit #hawaiinonprofitorganization