a venture studio for Hawaiʻi led by kamaʻāina creatives

Forging new paths and investing in talent, for a more equitable, thriving Hawaiʻi

Born during the COVID-19 pandemic and rooted in the community-driven, ʻāina-forward movement, LUMIN/AERY is a new venture development strategy. Our teams, led by kamaʻāina creatives, design ambitious products and services for the public good.

We are a team of kamaʻāina with diverse backgrounds.

LUMIN/AERY Inaugural Cohort No. 1

ECHO | Environment, Conservation, & Holistic Offering

Pua

PUA | Kāneʻohe

Lead, Creative-in-Residence

Jamie

JAMIE | Kapolei

Graphic Designer, Illustrator

Micah

MICAH | 'Aiea

Graphic Designer, Illustrator

Ryan

RYAN | Makiki

Artist, Musician, Performer

LUMIN/AERY Collective

Nicole

NICOLE | Makiki

Co-Director

Sarah

SARAH | Kaimuki

Co-Director

Jennifer

JENNIFER | Honolulu

Design Educator

The COVID-19 pandemic did two things: it accelerated the need to reevaluate and restrategize venture development, and it prompted an emergent group of modern innovators — kamaʻāina creatives — to share their vision of Hawaiʻi's recovery. As a result, we formed a new venture development strategy for original ventures.

We are LUMIN/AERY.

We are co-creating an ecosystem that nurtures our talent, sustains our creative economy, and resolves our community needs.

GatherGrowVenture
1

Gather to amplify.

We identify promising, kamaʻāina talent and recruit them to form a project team around a pressing challenge within our community.

2

Grow to scale talent.

We provide our Creatives-in-Residence a skill-building space, agency, and access to a range of experiences and expertise —like an apprenticeship.

3

Venture to innovate.

With our teams, we co-design and co-build meaningful hyperlocal solutions so that they are adopted and scaled across Hawaiʻi.

ECHO

ECHO is a gifting economy initiative supporting ʻāina-based environmental justice organizations across Hawai’i.

Let’s reimagine Hawaii’s future together

Join our team as a Creative-in-Residence

Support our mission