Aloha kākou. 

If you’ve ever stood on the shores of Hawaiʻi and watched the waves roll in, you know one truth: you cannot stop the ocean. The tides come in and go out. The surf rises and crashes. And like life, the waves are always changing. Sometimes they’re calm, sometimes they’re rough. But whether we ride them or get swept under depends on one thing—how we respond. 

Change is like the ocean—it never asks permission. It comes when it’s ready. And lately, we’ve seen our fair share: shifting markets, new technologies, new expectations, and fresh challenges around every corner. 

But change is not our enemy. In Hawaiian, they have a word: loli. It means to transform. Change isn’t about loss—it’s about movement, evolution, growth. And like the great navigators of Polynesia who crossed thousands of miles of ocean guided only by the stars, we are called to navigate these tides with courage, with heart, and with purpose. 

Another Hawaiian word: “Imi ola” — means to seek life, to thrive. That’s the spirit of resilience. 

We all get hit by unexpected swells. A project doesn’t go as planned. A goal shifts. A storm blows through our personal lives. But every time we rise back up, every time we paddle out again, we grow stronger, wiser, and more capable. 

In Hawaiʻi, we don’t just admire the beauty of the land—we respect its power. The wind that knocks us over is the same wind that fills our sails. Resilience isn’t about avoiding struggle—it’s about using it to move forward. 

Here’s the most important part: every one of us matters. 

In the Hawaiian culture, they say kākou—it means “we’re in this together.” Not “me,” not “you,” but all of us. 

Whether you’re answering phones, leading a team, solving problems behind the scenes, or serving customers face-to-face—you are making a difference. Every small action, every thoughtful decision, every moment of integrity creates a ripple. And together, those ripples become a wave. Just like in a canoe, every paddle stroke counts. One person can steer, but it takes all of us paddling in rhythm to move forward. 

So, I ask you: when the tide rises, will you rise with it? 

Will you face change not with fear, but with curiosity? 

Will you bounce back, not bitter—but better? 

Will you show up every day, knowing that what you do matters? 

Let’s commit—as a team, as a family, as a lāhui—to ride this wave together. Let’s lead with heart, lift each other up, and leave a legacy of excellence, compassion, and courage.  

He nalu ʻāʻe — rise with the wave. 

Mahalo, and let’s keep paddling strong