City’s Office of Economic Revitalization and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii to host networking event at new OurSpace Kaka‘ako location
HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu's Office of Economic Revitalization (OER), in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, will host a Business After Hours networking event at OurSpace, a new nonprofit makerspace and creative incubation studio, on Wednesday, May 6, 202.
The event will take place from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at 1052 Waimanu Street in Kaka‘ako, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:00 p.m. featuring remarks from Mayor Rick Blangiardi to celebrate OurSpace’s new location.
Held during National Small Business Week (May 3–9), the event highlights the critical role small businesses and entrepreneurs play in Honolulu’s economy.
Attendees will enjoy refreshments, a guided tour of OurSpace's new hybrid production and creative studio, and a panel discussion on the role of creativity across industries. =
Panelists will include:
Akemi Hiatt, Executive Director of OurSpace
Walea Constantinau, Honolulu Film Office Commissioner
Cole Phillips, Founder of Just Small Kine Things
Andrew Tran, Partner and Executive Creative Director of Redefined Media
Business After Hours is designed to do more than connect people; it directly supports Honolulu’s small business ecosystem by creating opportunities for meaningful engagement.
A 2025 report by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO), Investigating and Tackling Barriers and Needs for Small Business Success in Honolulu, commissioned by OER's Economic Revitalization Commission, found that networking is one of the most valuable tools for small business success. The study surveyed more than 1,000 O‘ahu small businesses and found that:
More than half of business owners said their network connections are extremely valuable
Nearly 75% rated networking as important or very important to their success
Common outcomes include new customers, vendor relationships, and collaborative projects
Nearly half of respondents expressed interest in local mixers and industry-specific events, reinforcing the need for gatherings like Business After Hours.
"I would not be here without networking. The artist community in Hawaiʻi is so unique — everyone supports each other and mentors up-and-coming artists,” said a small business owner quoted in the UHERO report.
The report also found that networking is especially critical for minority-owned businesses, including those owned by Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino entrepreneurs. However, time constraints and geographic barriers remain significant challenges. Events like Business After Hours help address those barriers by creating accessible, in-person opportunities to connect.
OER’s support of this event is a direct response to UHERO’s recommendation that the City expand networking opportunities through regular mixers and industry-focused events.
“OER’s Oʻahu Business Connector (OBC) team consistently hears from businesses that they need stronger connections to grow and succeed,” said Amy Asselbaye, Executive Director of OER. “Those personal connections are what the OBC platform provides, and what this partnership with OurSpace and the Chamber of Commerce is designed to build.”
“Small businesses are the heart of Hawaii’s economy, and connection is everything when it comes to helping them grow and thrive," says Sherry Menor, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi. "The Chamber's Business After Hours events create intentional spaces for people to come together. They open the door to new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities. For our May 6 Business After Hours, we’re proud to partner with the City and County of Honolulu's Office of Economic Revitalization and OurSpace to strengthen the relationships that power a more resilient, collaborative local business community.”
“In Hawaiʻi, we’re sometimes limited by our available resources, so making something polished and professional requires access to space, tools, and a supportive community,” says Akemi Hiatt, Executive Director of OurSpace. “At OurSpace, we grant access to advanced machinery to help local makers thrive, whether they are learning new techniques or launching a business. We envision a world where local talent can innovate here at home, which is why we’re so honored to partner with the Chamber of Commerce and OER in spotlighting our local business community.”
About OurSpace
OurSpace is a nonprofit makerspace, hybrid production studio, and creative incubation space — opening its first coworking space for creatives in its new home in Kakaʻako. The space is designed to support creatives, small businesses, and entrepreneurs with affordable access to production resources, collaborative workspaces, and a vibrant community of makers and innovators.
—PAU—
