I’m writing today on behalf of the board of Hawai‘i Leadership Forum to share some updates and exciting changes about The Omidyar Group’s work in Hawai‘i.

First, AJ Halagao has been offered an amazing opportunity with the East-West Center and will be stepping down as president of HLF on October 1, 2026. I want to say a heartfelt mahalo to AJ for three years of demonstrating the type of leadership HLF has encouraged in our community. His partnership and perspectives will be deeply missed.

Over the last several years, The Omidyar Group has been reflecting on our work in Hawai‘i and how we can be more responsive to community needs. Conversations with Pam Omidyar and the team were consistent: we have more than 15 years of work in Hawai‘i, and we know there is much more to do. Thanks to the generosity of community partners we’ve worked with along the way, we have learned more than we could have ever anticipated. After reflecting on where we’ve been and imagining a different way of approaching our work, we believe we have an opportunity to help steward change in Hawai‘i by following the community’s lead.

To do this, we will be making significant changes to our approach and structure.

We are changing how we work, grounded in and guided by four principles: foundational health and well-being; reimagining the economy in relationship to ‘āina; centering indigenous wisdom and leadership; and interdependent governance and mutual stewardship.

• We have decided to sunset Hawai‘i Leadership Forum, Hawai‘i Data Collaborative, and Ulupono Initiative and transition the staff into a new organization under my leadership. This will take place over the next 18 months.
• There isn’t a name or a scope of work for the new organization yet – that will be defined over the next 18 months. We look forward to sharing milestones as new details emerge about the work ahead and who we are becoming.

As we sunset HLF, know that we are honoring our commitments to complete all existing programs. In addition, the HLF office will close for good in November, and the HLF team will move to a new temporary home in Civil Beat Plaza shortly thereafter.

Simultaneously, we’ll spend the next 18 months in partnership with our newly-combined team and community — listening, learning, and building pilina with those who are working toward the same horizon to let them guide us.

We do not yet know how or if leadership development will play a role in the new organization. We do know that Cohort X will be the last, effectively ending the Fellows program. However, the Forum of Fellows will live on. We’re proud of this program’s legacy and are excited to share more as details unfold.

Mahalo piha,
Sunshine Topping
Board Chair
Hawai‘i Leadership Forum