Pilali Podcast

About Pilali Podcast

PILALI: A podcast by Funder Hui. Weaving trust and impact into our future. Pilali is a storytelling podcast rooted in Hawaiʻi, lifting up the vital role nonprofits play in our communities, while celebrating the kind of philanthropy that actually stick. Through conversations with grassroots leaders, community changemakers, and their funding partners, Pilali explores what it looks like when giving is reimagined. We dig into the relationships, the risks, and the reciprocity that make lasting community impact possible.

Publisher

Pilali Podcast

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Apr 2026

Latest episode

13 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Jul 2026

   Kahi Pacarro

   Ashley and Wren sit down with environmental advocate and entrepreneur Kahi Pacarro to discuss ocean conservation, community leadership, and the evolving role of civic engagement in Hawaiʻi. Kahi reflects on his upbringing in Kailua, his early career in finance and real estate, and the moment when witnessing environmental degradation during his travels pushed him to rethink his path. That shift ultimately led him to found Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi, where he has spent more than a decade mobilizing communities to address marine debris and protect Hawaiʻi’s shorelines. Ashley and Wren explore the scale of plastic pollution in the Pacific and the deeper systems driving it, from industrial fishing practices to global consumer culture. Kahi shares how his work expanded through global partnerships like Parley for the Oceans and youth initiatives such as Ocean Uprise, which empower young leaders to take action on climate and environmental issues. The conversation also touches on civic participation and Kahi’s decision to run for public office, reflecting his belief that protecting Hawaiʻi’s environment requires both grassroots action and stronger democratic engagement. Socials: @instakahi | @parley.tv (http://parley.tv) | @sustainablecoastlineshawaii | @peopleforpacarro | Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kahipacarro/) Show Notes: People for Pacarro (https://www.peopleforpacarro.com/) Parley Hawaii (https://parley.tv/hawaii) Ocean Uprise  (https://parley.tv/initiatives/ocean-uprise) Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii (https://www.sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org/) The City and County of Honolulu Clean Water & Natural Lands Program  (https://www.honolulu.gov/dhlm/cwnl/) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe (https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe)

2. 

   6 Jul 2026

   Sonya Niess

   Ashley and Wren sit down with birth worker and advocate Sonya Niess to explore maternal care and birth options in Hawaiʻi. Sonya explains the roles of doulas and midwives and how the midwifery model of care centers emotional, physical, and community support throughout pregnancy and postpartum. The conversation highlights how Hawaiʻi’s maternal health system faces shortages of providers and structural barriers that make it difficult for many families to access the care they need. Ashley and Wren also discuss the policy and cultural shifts shaping birth in Hawaiʻi today. Sonya shares her work with the Pacific Birth Collective and the challenges midwives face navigating licensing, insurance, and regulation. The episode explores how collaboration among birth workers, healthcare providers, and families could improve outcomes while restoring agency and dignity to the birth experience. Together they reflect on how strengthening maternal care systems can better support mothers, families, and communities across the islands. Socials: @pacificbirthcollective | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonya-niess-mph-08950a73/) Show Notes: Pacific Birth Collective  (https://www.pacificbirthcollective.org/) Committee on the Status of Women (https://www.mauicounty.gov/178/Committee-on-the-Status-of-Women), County of Maui Maui 2023 midwifery law (Act 32) (https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/138885/FEB_Item-No-5a_-Bill-for-an-Act-32) Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center  (https://www.ccmaui.org/about/our-mission) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe (https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe)

3. 

   29 Jun 2026

   Kaniela Ing

   Ashley and Wren sit down with community organizer and former state legislator Kaniela Ing to talk about political power, grassroots organizing, and the future of democracy in Hawaiʻi. Kaniela reflects on his path from working in the pineapple fields and student activism at the University of Hawaiʻi to becoming one of the youngest legislators in state history. He shares how experiences inside government shaped his understanding of power and led him to focus on building movements outside traditional political institutions. The conversation explores Kaniela’s work with Our Hawaiʻi and the importance of base building, community trust, and participation in shaping public decisions. Ashley and Wren discuss lessons from movements such as Mauna Kea and disaster response efforts in Lahaina, and how communities can organize to both stop harmful projects and build alternatives. Kaniela reflects on the need for multiracial working class movements, deeper civic participation, and new forms of leadership that empower communities to reclaim influence over the systems that affect their lives. Socials: @kanielaing | @ourhawaii808 | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanielaing/) | ⁠Kaniela Ing Website ⁠ (http://kanielaing.com) Show Notes: Our Hawaii  (https://www.our-hawaii.org/) Lahaina Strong  (https://wearelahainastrong.org/) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe (https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe)

4. 

   22 Jun 2026

   Robert Perkinson

   Ashley and Wren sit down with historian and educator Robert Perkinson to explore the intersections of incarceration, higher education, and public dialogue. Robert shares how his path from student activism to academia eventually brought him to Hawaiʻi and to the University of Hawaiʻi’s Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, a program designed to bring complex social issues into open, community-centered conversations. Together they examine how systems such as mass incarceration and immigration detention shape society, and why prison should be a last resort rather than a default response. The conversation also looks at the role universities can play in social change by producing knowledge, connecting diverse voices, and creating space for big ideas to meet real-world implementation. At its core, the episode reflects a shared belief that progress happens when people come together to question assumptions and imagine better futures. Socials: @robert_perkinson | @uh_btss | @uhmanoanews | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-perkinson-aba102255/) Show Notes: Better Tomorrow Speaker Series (https://manoa.hawaii.edu/speakers/events/) Texas Tough: The Rise of America’s Prison Empire  (https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Tough-Americas-Prison-Empire/dp/0312680473) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe (https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe)

5. 

   15 Jun 2026

   Dawn Lippert

   Ashley and Wren sit down with Dawn Lippert, founder and CEO of Elemental Impact, to discuss climate innovation, investment, and the role Hawaiʻi can play in developing solutions for a rapidly changing planet. Dawn shares how Elemental works with entrepreneurs building climate and energy technologies, combining investment with hands on support to help companies navigate capital, workforce development, policy, and community relationships. The conversation highlights how the organization has helped generate billions in follow on funding and thousands of jobs while recycling investment returns back into nonprofit climate work. Ashley, Wren, and Dawn also explore the tension between development and environmental protection, and the importance of earning community trust when building new energy and infrastructure projects. Dawn reflects on Hawaiʻi as a place where global climate solutions can be incubated through strong relationships with local communities. The discussion closes with a sense of urgency and optimism, emphasizing that technological innovation, community partnership, and entrepreneurial energy can all play a role in addressing climate change. Socials: @dawnhawaii | Elemental Impact (https://www.linkedin.com/company/elementalimpact) | Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnlippert/) Show Notes: Elemental Impact (https://elementalimpact.com/) Earthshot Ventures  (https://www.earthshot.vc/) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe (https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe)

6. 

   8 Jun 2026

   Chenoa Farnsworth

   Ashley and Wren sit down with investor and entrepreneur Chenoa Farnsworth to explore innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of Hawaiʻi’s economy. Chenoa shares how her work with Blue Startups helps mentor and invest in Hawaiʻi-based entrepreneurs, particularly in ocean and climate technology. The conversation looks at how incubators support founders through mentorship, training, and investor networks while helping local companies scale beyond the islands. Ashley, Wren, and Chenoa also discuss the broader vision behind this work, including the need to diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy beyond tourism and the military. Chenoa reflects on the importance of building companies that create meaningful local jobs, encouraging kamaʻāina talent to return home, and supporting women entrepreneurs who remain underrepresented in venture capital. The episode highlights a growing movement toward businesses that balance financial return with community impact while strengthening Hawaiʻi’s long term economic resilience. Socials: @cfarnswo | @bluestartups | Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenoafarnsworth/) Show Notes: Blue Startups (https://www.bluestartups.com/) Hawaii Angels Investment Network (https://www.hawaiiangels.org/) East Meets West  (https://emwhawaii.com/) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe

7. 

   1 Jun 2026

   Claire Sullivan

   Ashley and Wren sit down with Claire Sullivan to talk about the evolution of Hawaiʻi’s local food movement and the systems needed to support farmers and communities. Claire shares her journey from working in corporate communications at Maui Land & Pine to becoming deeply involved in the local food ecosystem through Whole Foods and later Farm Link Hawaiʻi. She reflects on how early efforts to scale local agriculture through retail partnerships helped open opportunities for small producers across the islands. Ashley and Wren explore Claire’s experience supporting local farms through both relational and market-based approaches, highlighting stories from producers like MAʻO Organic Farms and the challenges farmers face in accessing markets. The conversation also touches on broader food system barriers, from supply chain limitations to policy gaps. Claire explains how Farm Link’s model aims to connect farmers directly with consumers while expanding access through SNAP EBT and DaBux programs, illustrating how a more resilient and equitable local food economy can take shape in Hawaiʻi. Socials:  @clairefarrissullivan | @farmlinkhawaii | @hoiliilimarket | Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-sullivan-444275271/) Show Notes: ⁠ (https://www.hicir.org/)FarmLink Hawaii (https://farmlinkhawaii.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop9Sw_NnF3VK0sVwwIGVKnyZTC4cJPQFdcLEn9X_HN4M3PkvYoQ) MA’O Organic Farms (https://www.maoorganicfarms.org/) Hōʻiliʻili Market & Deli (https://farmlinkhawaii.com/pages/hoiliili?srsltid=AfmBOooW9-aLBQ53-h7KuX7vi2whQoTlfpN0oUV8k9FEo_ucgACevEMx) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe

8. 

   25 May 2026

   Liza Gill

   Ashley and Wren sit down with Liza Gill of the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights to discuss immigration, belonging, and the realities facing immigrant communities across the islands. Liza explains how HICIR works to build power for the nearly 20 percent of Hawaiʻi residents who are foreign born through coalition building, policy advocacy, and efforts to expand access to legal counsel. The conversation explores the recent rise in immigration detention in Hawaiʻi, the fear and uncertainty many families are experiencing, and the civil nature of immigration law that often leaves people navigating the system without representation. Ashley and Wren also speak with Liza about what solidarity and belonging mean in a place shaped by generations of migration. Drawing from her own experiences and the communities she works alongside, Liza reflects on the dignity of immigrant workers, the importance of joy and community organizing, and the role Hawaiʻi can play in imagining a more inclusive future. The discussion closes with a vision for a society where immigrants are fully supported to live, work, and contribute as whole people within the communities they help sustain. Socials:  @lizajeanryan | @hi_cir | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/liza-ryan-gill-129989106/) Show Notes: Hawai'i Coalition for Immigrant Rights (https://www.hicir.org/) Kōlea Podcast (https://www.youtube.com/@HICIR808) The Compacts of Free Association (https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12194) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe

9. 

   18 May 2026

   Noe Kalipi

   Ashley and Wren sit down with Noe Kalipi to explore leadership, community engagement, and the complex intersections of land, policy, and military presence in Hawaiʻi. Noe shares her journey from growing up in Hilo to working in Washington, D.C. as a congressional intern for Senator Daniel Akaka during the era of the Apology Resolution. She reflects on how those early experiences shaped her understanding of reconciliation, public service, and the importance of approaching governance with aloha and humility. Ashley and Wren discuss Noe’s work building relationships between institutions and communities, including her time with the Kohala Institute and current role navigating issues related to U.S. military land leases in Hawaiʻi. The conversation highlights the importance of community participation, ancestral knowledge, and dialogue across differences. Noe emphasizes the need to hold space for disagreement while building shared understanding, and reflects on how meaningful change often happens through small cracks in large systems when people commit to showing up with integrity and care for place. @noelanik LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-noelani-kalipi-9251353/) Show Notes: (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-107/pdf/STATUTE-107-Pg1510.pdfAkaka ) Apology Resolution  (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-107/pdf/STATUTE-107-Pg1510.pdfAkaka ) Akaka Bill ( https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1011 ) Kohala Institute (https://www.iolehawaii.org/Island ) Island Leadership Lab (https://law.hawaii.edu/academics/bright-international/island-leadership-lab-seminar/) Hawaii Coordination Cell ( https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/hcc/index.html) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe

10. 

    11 May 2026

    Davis Price

    In this episode of Pilali, cohosts Ashley and Wren sit down with Davis Price to explore the relationship between culture, law, and resistance in Hawaiʻi. Davis reflects on growing up in the Bay Area within a close-knit Hawaiian diaspora community rooted in hula, music, and cultural practice. He shares how these early influences shaped his understanding of Hawaiian identity and history, eventually leading him to pursue law school and engage more deeply in the ongoing work of protecting Hawaiian rights and lands. Ashley and Wren discuss the legacy of resistance movements in Hawaiʻi, including the Kūʻē Petitions, the Mauna Kea movement, and broader efforts to challenge unjust land use and governance structures. Davis explains how organizing, cultural grounding, and legal strategy all play roles in these struggles, highlighting the importance of community mobilization and narrative building. The conversation also looks toward current issues such as U.S. military land leases and the work of ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures, which seeks to envision a more just and resilient future for Hawaiʻi. Socials: @davis_price_8080  |  @ndncollective |  LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davis-price-b00a82314/) Show Notes: ⁠ (https://www.islanderinstitute.com/)NDN Collective (https://ndncollective.org/) Āina Aloha Economic Futures (https://www.ainaalohafutures.com/) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe

11. 

    4 May 2026

    Meli James

    In this episode of Pilali, cohosts Ashley and Wren sit down with entrepreneur and investor Meli James, cofounder of Mana Up, to explore how local businesses can drive economic diversification in Hawaiʻi. Meli explains how Mana Up supports Hawaiʻi based companies through mentorship, weekly coaching, retail partnerships, and a statewide accelerator program designed to help founders grow their brands. The conversation highlights how locally rooted products such as Kōhana Rum, Mānoa Chocolate, and other Mana Up companies are expanding beyond the islands while staying connected to the stories and culture of Hawaiʻi. Ashley, Wren, and Meli also discuss the broader economic opportunity behind supporting local entrepreneurs. Meli shares how small businesses create jobs, keep more money circulating in the islands, and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s global brand through authentic products and storytelling. The episode explores how policies, local procurement, and collaborative networks can help Hawaiʻi companies scale while maintaining their connection to place, culture, and community. Socials:  @melijames | @manaup | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melialani/) Show Notes: ⁠ (https://www.islanderinstitute.com/) Mana Up (https://manauphawaii.com/⁠) Hawaii Venture Capital Association (https://hvca.org/⁠) Article: Beyond the Price of Paradise: Is Hawai’i Being Left Behind? (https://uhero.hawaii.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/BeyondThePriceOfParadise.pdf) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe

12. 

    4 May 2026

    Autumn Ness

    In this episode of Pilali, cohosts Ashley and Wren sit down with community organizer Autumn Ness to talk about activism, crisis response, and the power of grassroots organizing in Hawaiʻi. Autumn shares how her experiences living through the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in Japan shaped her understanding of community resilience and corporate power. After moving to Maui, she began recognizing similar patterns in the fight over GMO crops and pesticide use, which led her into organizing and policy advocacy alongside local communities. The conversation follows Autumn’s work from grassroots campaigns to building solutions such as the Maui Food Hub and the Lahaina Community Land Trust. Ashley and Wren explore how crises can expose systemic vulnerabilities but also create opportunities to strengthen community ownership and trust. Autumn reflects on the importance of long term relationship building, protecting land from speculation, and supporting community driven leadership so that local people can shape the future of the places they call home. Socials:  @lilikoidriftwood | @lahainacommunitylandtrust | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/autumn-ness-ba4489296/) Show Notes: Lahaina Community Land Trust (https://lahainacommunitylandtrust.org/⁠ ) Maui Food Hub (https://www.mauihub.org/⁠) Article: Harness the Shock of Disaster to Propel Change (https://shelterforce.org/2025/10/08/harnessing-the-shock-of-disaster-to-propel-change/) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe

13. 

    4 May 2026

    Alapaki Nahale-a

    In this episode of Pilali, cohosts Ashley and Wren sit down with Alapaki Nahale-a to explore identity, education, and what it means to truly be “of” a place. Alapaki shares his upbringing in Hilo on Hawaiian Homelands and reflects on formative experiences at Kamehameha Schools and the University of Pennsylvania. The conversation touches on discovering Hawaiian history and sovereignty movements while away from home, and how those realizations shaped his path in housing advocacy, education, and community leadership. Ashley and Wren also discuss Alapaki’s work in Hawaiian language immersion education and charter schools, and the deeper systemic challenges facing Hawaiʻi today. The conversation expands into themes of pilina, community accountability, and the intentional divisions that shape public discourse. Alapaki introduces his work with Islander Institute and reflects on the importance of building empathy, connection, and shared responsibility for place as the foundation for meaningful change in Hawaiʻi. Socials:  @hiloboy68 I @islanderinstitute I LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-nahalea-2259b88/) Show Notes: Islander Institute (https://www.islanderinstitute.com/) Subscribe to hear more stories from change-makers in Hawai‘i: https://www.pilalipodcast.org/subscribe

14. 

    29 Apr 2026

    PILALI: A podcast by Funder Hui

    Pilali is a storytelling podcast rooted in Hawaiʻi, lifting up the vital role nonprofits play in our communities, while celebrating the kind of philanthropy that actually stick.Through conversations with grassroots leaders, community changemakers, and their funding partners, Pilali explores what it looks like when giving is reimagined not as charity, but as solidarity. We dig into the relationships, the risks, and the reciprocity that make lasting community impact possible.Pilali invites you into a bigger vision of community, bound together not in permanence, but in living reciprocity. Whether you're a funder, a nonprofit practitioner, or someone who cares about Hawaiʻi's future — subscribe to hear new stories.Website: https://www.pilalipodcast.org Instagram + YouTube: @pilalipodcast

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Contact Pilali Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.