Rooted Futures: How Hawaiʻi is Shaping the Future of Technology

​Purple Maiʻa Foundation invites you to Ko'akā Coffee (@koaka.space) to explore what it means to build and teach technology from a place of culture, community, and responsibility. Through stories, examples, and conversation, this panel will share Purple Maiʻa's approach to technology education and innovation—one that centers ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge systems), place-based learning, creativity, and community empowerment. Featuring educators from Purple Maiʻa's Kula team alongside members of its technology team, the discussion will offer perspectives from both the classroom and software development. Panelists will share how students, educators, and technologists across Hawaiʻi are using emerging technologies like artificial intelligence not just as consumers, but as creators, storytellers, and problem-solvers. Rather than asking only what AI can do, this session asks a deeper question: who do we want technology to serve?

​This event is for educators, technology professionals, students, community leaders, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of technology in Hawaiʻi. Whether you're already working with emerging technologies or just beginning to explore them, you'll leave with new ideas for using technology to strengthen education, culture, and community. Join us for a conversation about how Hawaiʻi can help create a future where technology strengthens communities and reflects the values of our pae ʻāina.