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
Introducing Lane Maki, DTL`s new Event and Marketing Specialist!
Originally from Los Angeles, California, Lane brings a wealth of experience to our team. With several years of expertise in media production, fashion styling, and event management, she is well-equipped to make significant contributions to DTL. Her background includes teaching at kula kaiapuni, where she cultivated an appreciation for education and teaching future generations—values that closely align with DTL`s core principles.
DTL`s pillars of culture and community resonate deeply with Lane`s values. She believes in the importance of knowing and researching one`s surroundings, not only for personal betterment but also for the preservation of Hawaiʻi. Lane`s connection to her heritage is deeply rooted in her journey with hula, through which she has connected to the culture, place, and people around her.
As Lane integrates into our team, she will be planning and executing community outreach events and creating marketing materials for DTL. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly have on our projects and initiatives.
#hawaiijobs #marketing #marketingstrategy #events #eventplanning #eventplanner
As we continue to expand our DTL ʻohana, we are thrilled to introduce Mahina Kenoi, our new Communication Specialist.
Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, Mahina calls Hilo home. She is a proud 2019 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Keaʻau. She earned a bachelor`s degree in Communication and Media Studies, along with an undergraduate certificate in Pre-Law: Communication Specialist, at UH Hilo.
Mahina relocated to Oʻahu seeking greater opportunities in marketing and public relations. Soon after, she became an intern with DTL Hawaiʻi and in a matter of months, Mahina was brought on full-time.
As the Communication Specialist, Mahina serves as the Project Manager for clients ʻŌuli Farms and HVCB. She ensures projects are delivered on time and to the highest standard. She develops programs and outlines for community engagement plans and focus groups, integrating the voices of community members into our initiatives. Mahina works closely with clients to elevate their organizations and brands, ensuring effective communication of their brand messaging.
#hawaiijobs #communicationspecialist #communication #projectmanager #marketing #publicrelations
For over a century, Pālama Settlement has supported the Kalihi and Pālama neighborhoods. Established in 1896, this non-profit, community-based social service agency offers programs for all ages, empowering the community through education, health, and recreation. They serve over 900 children, 1,000 families, and 400 seniors annually, focusing on those in low-income housing.
Their goal is to ensure that every member of the community, regardless of their economic status, has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive, and they are constantly evolving to meet the dynamic needs of the Kalihi-Pālama community.
Pālama Settlement welcomes volunteers to assist with its programs and activities throughout the year. It’s one of the most rewarding ways to connect with and support our Hawaiʻi community. For more information about volunteering, programs, and events, or to donate, visit palamasettlement.org.
#dtlhawaii #palamasettlement #palama #kalihi #nonprofithawaii #volunteer #volunteerhawaii #donate #donatehawaii
Situated in the Kohala moku within the ‘Ōuli ahupuaʻa, ‘Ōuli Farms is an 840-acre community offering homes, farms, and community clubs. The site was part of the original parcel acquired by the Rockefeller family for the Mauna Kea Resort.
‘Ōuli Farms emphasizes sustainability and environmental stewardship, striving to minimize its ecological footprint. The community employs sustainable practices, with homes built using energy-efficient materials and farms managed with organic methods.
The development will feature over 200 acres of organic farms and a select number of homes. Each homesite boasts an acre of open space, encouraging residents to participate in local food production.
#dtlhawaii #hawaiiisland #bigisland #bigislandhawaii #oulifarms #oulifarmshawaii #clientappreciation #sustainableliving #ouli #kohala #kohalahawaii
Kahanu Cuban recently joined the DTL team as a Content Developer, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for Hawaiian culture and language.
Kahanu`s education started at Pūnana Leo o Kawaiahaʻo and continued at Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Ānuenue. He graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama in 2019. He furthered his studies at Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani in Hilo and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where he graduated with a degree in Hawaiian Language at Kawaihuelani in 2023.
Kahanu`s journey with DTL began during his college years. DTL sponsored him during the Kū Kiaʻi Mauna movement, allowing him to stand with his community at Mauna Kea. This experience solidified his connection to DTL, where he witnessed our dedication to supporting and nurturing the Hawaiian community and culture.
As a Content Developer, Kahanu is dedicated to incorporating Hawaiian values, culture, and language into every project. His goal is to create content that is both meaningful and impactful.
#hawaiijobs #contentdeveloper #hawaiianlanguage #olelohawaii #hawaiianculture #hawaiiancommunity #hawaii
#DTLProjectHighlight ~ Part of the Honua Kai Resort & Spa, Luana Garden Villas are townhomes featuring their own design personality and guest experience. DTL developed a comprehensive signage and wayfinding package to reflect its unique identity within the greater resort property.
From initial concept to construction, DTL ensured multiple shipments arrived on site from the client`s fabricator in Canada on schedule. The anticipated community vision including visual design, color, and material palettes needed to be particular to match the ambiance of the landscape. The challenge was to incorporate these into real-world signs that not only reflected the quality of the project but that could be shipped and assembled on-site with ease.
#hawaiiresort #hawaiiresortandspa #hawaiihotel #gardenvilla #hawaii #townhomes #signage #signagedesign
Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, also known as Sovereignty Restoration Day, was the first national holiday of the Hawaiian Kingdom, established on July 31, 1843. Today, Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea symbolizes the ongoing preservation and celebration of the Hawaiian Kingdom through its culture, language, and people.
Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea is celebrated with various festivities throughout the month of July, including cultural activities, educational events, and community gatherings.
Stay updated with the Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea events by visiting lahoihoiea.org/events/ or following @lahoihoiea. E mau ke ea o ka ʻāina!
#DTLProjectHighlight ~ DTL supported the Friends of ʻIolani Palace in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic to pivot their organization. DTL prepared and developed a presentation and activity materials, facilitating a 4-hour strategic planning session with the board and staff. This helped to identify goals and objectives to support their mission, vision, and operational goals.
DTL provided Friends of ‘Iolani Palace with the strategic planning document to capture the goals objectives, priorities, and timeline discussed in the planning session. DTL also hosted a half-day workshop about the history of Hawai‘i and the mo‘okūauhau of the Friends of ‘Iolani Palace for the team.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #culture #community #hawaii #marketingstrategy #businessstrategy #brandpositioning #repositioning
As a multidisciplinary studio, DTL offers a range of services including comprehensive strategic planning. This encompasses activities such as developing community engagement plans and facilitating focus groups. By doing so, we ensure that community voices are integrated into our clients` initiatives, fostering meaningful connections and informed decision-making.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #culture #community #hawaii #brandpositioning #communityengagement #focusgroups
#DTLProjectHighlight ~ The Honolulu Rail Transit project connects commuters from East Kapolei through downtown to Ala Moana via 21 transit stops. Each station has designated guideway columns that feature large-scale environmental graphics. These graphics feature artwork grounded in the culture and history of the ahupuaʻa it`s situated in.
As a sub-consultant to WCIT Architecture, DTL provided cultural research and narratives that guided the design of these artwork pieces. DTL also provided cultural interpretation and concepts for the Lagoon Station designed by @wcitarch.
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii
DTL has provided strategic planning services to organizations across the pae ʻāina, crafting plans tailored to the unique needs of businesses in Hawaiʻi.
Waimea Valley is one of the projects we`re working on. With a focus on preserving human, cultural, and environmental resources through education and stewardship, valuable input was gathered from the community to guide their strategic priorities. Essential insights were collected through an online survey and strategic planning sessions with the board and staff. This process helped identify goals and objectives that will support Waimea Valley`s mission, vision, and future efforts to continue celebrating and sharing Hawaiʻi`s culture with the world.
For an inside look at the projects we are currently working on, subscribe to our weekly newsletters at dtlstudio.com
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #businessstrategy #brandpositioning #repositioning #training #coaching
We take our Friday pau hanas at DTL and @wcitarch pretty seriously around here. Great food and great company 🤙🏼
#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #branding #communications #design #culture #community #hawaii #wcit #wcitarch #wcitarchitecture