Waves of Change, Hawai‘i Leadership Forum’s inaugural Impact Report, reflects on 12 years of shared work to strengthen leadership across Hawai‘i. It highlights how individuals who connected through HLF’s programs—Omidyar Fellows, Leaders Lab participants, and other community partners and collaborators—are taking action, building meaningful relationships, and responding to the state’s most complex challenges.

More than a summary of accomplishments, the report reflects how leadership in Hawai‘i continues to evolve, grounded in shared responsibility and long-term commitment.

Looking ahead, we remain optimistic—because we’ve seen what’s possible when leadership is rooted in action and shared responsibility. Together, we can continue building a more resilient and thriving Hawai‘i.

Read the report at the link below or download as PDF.

The Omidyar Fellows program is an enduring commitment designed to lead to a more thriving Hawai‘i. ‘Ike Hawai‘i, the knowledge that comes from Hawai‘i is critical to support leadership that is good for Hawai‘i. Our approach stresses leadership immersion with ʻāina as well as strong relationships and networks.

The Forum of Fellows, an active network of Hawaiʻi-based leaders, are committed to working together towards a shared vision for our island home.

Hawai‘i Leadership Forum’s Leaders Lab initiative seeks to spark positive change in Hawai‘i through one-day intensive experiences that identify and build practical leadership skills. It is not a workshop or class, but a laboratory where groups of approximately 20 participants come together, learn from one another, and come out transformed.

Co-facilitated by Omidyar Fellows, Leaders Lab is an accessible pathway for leaders to develop their collective impact and create brighter futures for Hawai‘i. Leaders Lab is organized into five thematic groups: community organizers and nonprofit leaders; educators and academic leaders; health, science, and technology leaders; entrepreneurs, business, and labor leaders; and public officials and government leaders. In 2025, Leaders Lab is expanding with additional labs on Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island.

Hawai‘i Leadership Forum partners with SMALLIFY, led by Dave Viotti, to offer coaching, facilitation, capacity building, and other supports to Fellows and their colleagues and teams. The intention is to accelerate and expand participants’ impact, cultivate relationships across their networks, and strengthen their capacity for innovation.

SMALLIFY works with impact project teams comprised of Omidyar Fellows and other community leaders who have a collective challenge they want to address.

These sessions use SMALLIFY’s method and approach to community-centered innovation and moving work forward through action to achieve results. The SMALLIFY process focuses on six essential factors for transformative change:

1. Clear “Guiding Star”—the anchor purpose or long-term impact goal
2. Strong leaders, teams, and trusted partners
3. Commitment to "Small Bets that Matter"
4. Co-Development of solutions with communities to meet authentic community needs
5. Leveraging opportunities where there is energy or urgency in the system for change
6. Staying anchored in a Growth Mindset