This fall, Punahou’s Case Accelerator for Student Entrepreneurship (CASE) has relaunched the Project Accelerator program, which brings together student entrepreneurs for mentorship, guidance, and community. Through this program, students have the opportunity to learn from alumni, community entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers while working in small cohorts to develop their ventures.
One exciting new aspect of the Project Accelerator is the introduction of student-led workshops. Yolanda Lau, CASE director, emphasized the value of these workshops, stating that they provide students with a unique opportunity to share their knowledge and grow as leaders. It is inspiring to see students step forward to lead, mentor, and share insights with their peers.
These student-led workshops cover a variety of topics and have been led by Academy students in every grade level. Some of the topics covered include how to start a podcast and how to get started with craft fairs.
One standout workshop was led by Anna Sophia Dao ’25, who presented an “Intro to Business” workshop to students and faculty. Her workshop covered entrepreneurship basics, developing a business idea, and creating a mission-driven brand. Dao shared her own entrepreneurial journey and worked with students to help them brainstorm ideas for their projects using the Business Model Canvas.
Dao’s workshop was part of her efforts through Lokahi Collective, an initiative she created inspired by her participation in the Project Accelerator. The Lokahi Collective aims to mentor teens with small businesses and give back to the community, specifically focusing on fundraising for Maui via the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong fund.
Through the Lokahi Collective, Punahou students like Alexa Yee ’27, Anika Wida ’24, Jaqueline Kashimoto ’27, Jasmine Lau ’25, Lilinoe Wilson ’26, and Megan Ing ’27 have the opportunity to showcase their products on a shared website. The organization provides workshops to help teens learn to sell their products online and run their businesses effectively, with mentors available to assist with questions and brainstorming ideas.
The relaunched Project Accelerator is making a significant impact by providing mentorship, collaboration, and student-led initiatives that equip young entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed. Lau expressed her pride in seeing students like Anna Sophia Dao grow and mentor others, highlighting the thriving entrepreneurial mindset at Punahou and the students’ ability to create real impact for the community.
In conclusion, the Project Accelerator at Punahou is fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation among students, empowering them to make a difference not only for themselves but for the entire community. Through mentorship, collaboration, and student-led initiatives, young entrepreneurs are gaining valuable skills and experiences that will serve them well in their future endeavors.
