Join Us: Sunday, December 8 @ 12:45 PM to 2:00 PM
Empowering Pilina Panel
Resilience is Rooted in Connection
Moderated by
Misty Sanico,
Panelist Coordinator
The relationship between wāhine freelancers and entrepreneurs is like the Pulelehua and māmaki—each strengthening the other. The Pulelehua relies on māmaki leaves for nourishment and growth, while its presence helps māmaki flourish and thrive. Similarly, freelancers bring fresh perspectives and skills that help businesses thrive, while businesses provide stability and opportunities that enable freelancers to advance and prosper. Together, they create a cycle of shared growth and success. Resilience is rooted in connection.
Meet Our Panelists
Līhau Willing
Iwi Nails was born from Līhau’s desire to see her culture and identity better represented in the beauty industry. Frustrated with the lack of designs that reflected her world, she sought to create a nail product that was both easy to use and long-lasting, yet deeply connected to the ʻāina. She began designing nails inspired by the land and all that nourishes her—spiritually, mentally, and physically. What started as a personal expression of belonging grew into a way to share that same sense of connection with her community.
At Iwi Nails, the belief is simple yet powerful: everyone deserves to be accepted and loved for who they are, with the freedom to express their authentic selves. Through storytelling in nail design, Iwi Nails amplifies marginalized voices and creates products that empower individuals to embrace their beauty and uniqueness.
Isabel Coloma
Since graduating in 2023 from UHWO with a B.A. in Design & Media, Isabel has been helping small businesses with their design needs through freelance work. Her projects have ranged from reimagining branding to creating logos for up-and-coming companies. Alongside her freelance work, Isabel has been working full-time as the social media manager for Noʻeau Designers, a role that allows her to support even more local businesses through marketing. Whether through freelance projects or her current career, Isabel is dedicated to empowering Hawaiʻi’s businesses and its people to thrive.
Marion Ano
Marion Ano is the founder of Kilo Books Hawaiʻi, a passion project born from her desire to connect meaningfully with her son while cultivating a sense of place and a deeper relationship with nature. As a keiki o ka ʻāina (child of the land), Marion sought to instill the value of aloha ʻāina (love of the land) in her son, believing it begins with the daily practice of kilo (observation).
As both a teacher and freelance developer, creating field guidebooks for children felt like a natural extension of her work. Marion’s professional journey includes studying some of Hawaiʻi’s most pristine ecosystems and remote ahupuaʻa. From researching ancient loʻi (pond field) settlement patterns in Wailau to counting ʻoʻopu (endemic freshwater gobies) in the streams of Pelekunu, the practice of kilo has helped her stay grounded in her culture and her connection to the ʻāina.
When she’s not working on the next Kilo Book, Marion teaches coding, visual design, and user experience (UX) at the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. She also serves as the Executive Director of Wāhine Freelance Alliance, where she is building a mentorship program to empower wāhine in creative and freelance industries.
Amanda Merritt
Amanda believes that science + art = compelling visual design. When she’s not designing for us, she’s aligning designs for her company, Aline Design.
Born and raised in Boston, she grew up with her nose in a book and her fingers in paint. Her early career at the Massachusetts Cultural Council provided her with an introduction to a wide range of creative artists as well as an opportunity to kick off graphic design projects professionally.
Moving west toward warmer waters, I entered the world of ocean sciences based at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in sunny Southern California. Science and art came together in Hawaiʻi, when she started as a graphic designer for NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center with the Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research. In addition to graphic design, she led the Center’s content development and strategy for science communications.
My other passions include looking for manta rays, hiking the hills, bookworming, or eating nachos.
The Empowering Pilina Panel will feature an inspiring discussion with wāhine freelancers and entrepreneurs who have built powerful, collaborative partnerships. Spotlighting wāhine professionals, this session highlights how mutual support and creativity have driven their success. Panelists will share how they’ve worked together, adapted, overcome challenges, and leveraged the power of pilina to grow thriving businesses across Hawaiʻi and beyond.
With actionable insights and real-world examples, the panel will explore key themes like forming impactful partnerships, navigating the unique challenges of freelancing and entrepreneurship in Hawaiʻi, and more. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on fostering meaningful relationships in business and inspiration to achieve similar success in their own ventures.
