Lead & Lift 2026: Women Who Lead Hawai'i

Purchase tickets here: https://givebutter.com/lead-lift-2026-women-who-lead-hawaii

Explore this question with us: What does courage look like?

Leadership doesn't always look the way we expect.

Sometimes it's standing firmly in who you are. Sometimes it's creating space for others to grow. Sometimes it's taking a risk on an idea. And sometimes it's finding common ground when the path forward isn't easy.

Lead & Lift 2026, presented by the Junior League of Honolulu, brings together Hawaiʻi leaders with different backgrounds and experiences for a meaningful conversation about leadership, courage, purpose, and impact.

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu
A kumu (teacher), cultural practitioner, and community leader promoting the Kanaka (Hawaiian) language, philosophy, and traditions of her people across diverse educational, political, and media landscapes.

Meli James
An innovative ecosystem builder, serial entrepreneur, and venture specialist empowering Hawaiʻi's local product brands to scale globally while creating high-wage economic opportunities across the Islands.

Dr. Maenette Benham
A visionary academic leader, Native Hawaiian scholar, and mentor dedicated to fostering inclusive, community-rooted spaces of learning that blend traditional Indigenous wisdom with contemporary global excellence.

Together, our panelists will explore the choices, challenges, risks, and experiences that have shaped their leadership journeys—and what their stories can teach us about finding the courage to lead.

Join us for a morning of conversation, connection, and reflection featuring:

• Panel Discussion — Hear three distinct perspectives on courage and leadership.
• Audience Q&A — Bring your questions and join the conversation.
• Skill Spotlight — Take away a practical leadership tool or insight.
• Guided Reflection — Consider what courage looks like in your own leadership journey.
• Networking — Connect with others who are leading, learning, building, and making an impact in Hawaiʻi.

Lead & Lift is designed for people at every stage of their leadership journey. Whether you're a student or emerging professional, entrepreneur, nonprofit or community leader, educator, established professional, or simply interested in learning from leaders in Hawaiʻi, there's a place for you in this conversation.

The event is open to everyone.

Saturday, October 10, 2026
9:00–11:30 a.m.
Limelight Hawaiʻi at Ala Moana Hotel
410 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu

$30 General Admission
$15 Junior League Members & Students

Light refreshments will be provided during registration and networking.

Register: https://givebutter.com/lead-lift-2026-women-who-lead-hawaii

Event venue & nearby stays

Limelight Hawaii, 410 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu, United States

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