Dawn Lippert

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]

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

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

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

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