A Look Back and Forward: Ka‘ānani‘au Studio in 2025 and Our Intentions for 2026

As we step into a new year, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the work, the lessons, and the community that made 2025 meaningful; and to share what we’re looking forward to in 2026.

At Ka‘ānani‘au Studio, our focus has always been on purpose-driven design for kuleana-driven leaders. Over the past year, we worked with local community organizations and events, ‘āina-serving business leaders, and even a senator-to-be to create brand systems that help them show up confidently and meaningfully for the communities they serve. This included a couple donated projects to support meaningful, long-term community impact.

Highlights from 2025

In a year full of noise and distraction, the real value of this work was seen and felt across our moku puni and beyond. Here's some success stories from just a couple of our favorite projects:

• At Wai‘anae Moku Made, thoughtful design support helped activate the moku and welcome nearly 300 attendees, 29 vendors, and dozens of community and cultural partners. The event generated strong economic activity, intergenerational engagement, and over 100,000 social media views, extending its impact well beyond one evening.

• After completing WEDC's rebrand, Shavone Lave, Program Director, said "The biggest change has been how much easier it is to communicate what we do and why it matters. Our new brand identity makes sharing our story feel natural and impactful, which has strengthened our marketing and outreach efforts."

• Similarly, Jordan Kapono Nakamura’s campaign launch saw hundreds of new followers and strong early engagement in its first month, announcing itself with confidence and clarity from the very start.

These are wins worth celebrating!

Evolving How We Work

2025 also reinforced the importance of intentional processes. We observed that many clients need ongoing, month-to-month support beyond a single project. In response, we refined the way we partner with clients:

• Holo‘ai Subscription: This option pairs core brand system projects with flexible, ongoing design support. It allows brand touchpoints to evolve with real-time priorities, shortens project timelines, and reduces upfront investment cost.

• Place-Based Creative Ideation: Much of our design thinking now begins outdoors, surrounded by 'āina and kai. For select projects, we even travelled to the unique mokus of our clients. As our clients come to us seeking connection and clarity, ʻāina itself becomes a source of both. This change supports outcomes that can't be replicated at a desk in a room.

• Focused Capacity: To maintain quality and care, we now cap brand system projects at four per quarter, with Holo‘ai support limited to sixteen hours per month. This ensures every project receives the dedicated attention it deserves.

Looking Ahead

In 2026, Ka‘ānani‘au Studio is prioritizing depth over volume by:

• Strengthening long-term brand equity and creative quality.

• Supporting clients with flexible, ongoing design solutions.

• Protecting focus, quality, and meaningful collaboration.

Our goal is to free our clients to focus on their purpose and their kuleana, without the stress of managing their branding on top of it all. Design should serve the work, not distract from it.

Mahalo ā nui

We are deeply grateful to the organizations, practitioners, and individuals who made this past year possible. Your trust, collaboration, and commitment to your communities continue to inspire our work and shape how we serve.

As 2026 unfolds, we look forward to continuing these partnerships and helping more leaders, organizations, and initiatives show up with clarity, confidence, and impact. Aloha nui. E mālama pono.