When her mom told her to study radiology, it sounded like a smart plan. Good pay, job security, a stable future. But for Alexis Akiona, stability never sparked joy. She traded X-rays for Aloha shirts, turned risk into runway, and built one of Hawaiʻi’s most recognizable local fashion brands: Lex Breezy Hawaiʻi.

From Kailua kid to Hale ʻAina Restaurateur of the Year, Dusty’s journey isn’t about short-term wins, but about growth, service, and building a body of work that attracts opportunity. Through it all, one theme has guided him: what others call luck is often the byproduct of choosing growth over comfort, again and again.

From backyard roots on Molokaʻi to building a community-owned brewery, Naehalani Breeland is redefining what it means to do business in Hawaiʻi. See how Ola Brew turned wasted fruit into $1.8M for local farmers and ownership for the lāhui.

Some founders start with funding. Tiana started with fear. Not the paralyzing kind. The kind that keeps you hustling, paying attention, and building smart. From waitressing shifts to running a tropical fashion brand, Tiana Gamble built Bikini Bird piece by piece while working full time, raising a family, and betting on herself.