OHA Director of Economic and Business Resilience Poni Askew is responsible for advancing policies, programs and practices that strengthen and enhance the economic development and financial empowerment of the lāhui, ensuring that Native Hawaiians progress toward a state of economic stability. She joined the organization on Sept. 16.
Askew had served since 2022 as the executive director and chief executive officer of the Cultivate Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Collaborative, a work-based learning collaborative creating access and opportunities for Hawaiʻi’s students to excel in today’s workforce. She is the chief executive officer and founder of Hawaiian Vinegar & Spice Company and is a former chief executive officer and founder of Street Grindz.
She is an alumna of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she focused on ōlelo Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian studies and has also completed extensive professional development in business and product development and community development.
“I’m honored to join OHA where I can help create opportunities that support the growth and resilience of our Hawaiian communities. I look forward to working together to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s economy in ways that reflect our values and vision for the future,” Askew said.
