Ugly Talk: Surviving And Thriving In The Age Of AI
AI is here, but the standard playbook wasn't written for Hawaii. The leap from surviving to thriving requires grounding this powerful technology in local reality—using it to amplify our strengths, grow our connection to the Āina, protect our businesses, and create sustainable growth.
This session is for the builders, the strategists, and the founders who are shaping the future of business in our islands. Our expert panel will share their insights and cut through the noise to give you a practical framework for using AI to build a smarter, more resilient career and business.
🎯 Why You Should Attend
Learn how to use AI securely to protect your business and your client data from day one.
Learn about cutting-edge AI skills to add to your professional toolkit, from secure system design to marketing automation.
Get a framework for applying AI in a way that is both globally competitive and authentically local.
Plug into the core of Hawaii's innovation ecosystem and meet your next collaborator, client, or co-founder.
Discover practical AI principles to scale your impact, whether you're building a startup, leading a local team, or future-proofing your career.
📅 Event Agenda
5:30 — Doors open, networking as guests arrive
6:00–7:00 — Panel discussion
7:00–7:30 — Networking opportunity
7:30–8:00 — Optional automation workshop + networking
8:00 — Final networking and wrap-up
🙋 Who You’ll Meet
Local Founders & Business Owners looking for a practical edge to improve efficiency and reach.
Tech & Marketing Professionals (local and remote) looking to learn cutting-edge skills, level up their careers, and connect with Hawaii's top companies.
Aspiring Entrepreneurs who want to build lean, locally-minded companies from the ground up.
Community & Government Leaders curious about the future of Hawaii's economy and how to leverage new technology for civic good.
🎤 Who’s on the Panel
Larry McCarthy - Founder of Hoolaha LLC
Larry McCarthy turns AI from buzzword to bottom line for Hawaii businesses. With 20+ years leading technology, eCommerce, and digital operations across banking, telecom, insurance, solar, publishing, and fine art - and degrees in EE/CS and an MBA - he’s a seasoned Hawai’i founder/operator who builds things that ship. Offering AI-driven eCommerce & Automation strategies and implementation, he helps teams increase online revenue, reduce manual work, and integrate AI into all departments for quick results.
Naomi Gauthier - Co-Founder of The Art Agency
Naomi blends retail leadership with innovation to create experiences at the intersection of culture, commerce, and technology. She has held senior roles at DFS, Macy’s, and Maui Divers, leading operations, merchandising, and marketing to drive profitability and customer engagement. As co-founder of a company connecting clients with artisans, she is an avid user of AI and integrates artwork that is both culturally authentic and commercially impactful. A University of Hawaii economics graduate with certifications in entrepreneurship and high-performance skills, she brings expertise in strategy, collaboration, and digital transformation to reimagine how audiences connect with art, retail, and ideas.
Sean Feeney - CEO of AcquiLingua
Sean is an entrepreneur focused on perpetuating Aloha by bridging cultures through language. He studied Economics and Japanese at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and on exchange at Keio and Waseda universities in Tokyo. He's passionate about bolstering the emerging tech ecosystem of Hawaii and consults for the State legislature to help foster connection between tech workers, entrepreneurs, and government. If you want to pick up or improve on a second language, try his app, AcquiLingua. Aloha!
Moderator:
Coltrane Kubo - Co-Founder of Aidgentic
Coltrane is a web entrepreneur and full-funnel marketer on a mission to help small businesses thrive with the power of AI. As co-founder of Aidgentic, he blends technical automation with proven growth strategies to build agentic systems that have tripled client leadflow and saved hundreds of hours of repetitive work across dozens of companies. By hosting AI-focused events, he aims to create a melting pot of ideas - putting our kama‘aina at the heart of tomorrow’s global tech scene.
💬 What We’ll Talk About
The Engine: Growth & Automation
Practical AI tools for businesses
Scaling without a massive headcount
The Heart: Community & Connection
Augmenting authenticity with AI to build authentic business partnerships
Preserving culture while innovating
The Mission: Innovation with Aloha
Using AI to build a business that’s both profitable and purposeful
The founder’s journey in Hawaii
🤝 Co-hosted With
Aidgentic - Developing Custom AI and Automation Solutions to Unlock Business Growth
GREY Journal – Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).
🤝 Venue Partner
Central YMCA & Streetfelt Co-Lab - Together, we aim to breathe new life into the Central YMCA by creating an Art Center that uplifts, educates, and inspires the community it
serves.
Beginning the last weekend of September 2025, Streetfelt Co-Lab will launch monthly classes ranging from “How to create your own mural from sketch to a wall”, “Design your own tshirt”, “Creating your 1st Garden”, “Intro to Graffiti writing bubble lettering, realism, to Wildstyle”, and
“New technologies for artists” workshops, led by both local artists and world-renowned guest instructors. Our goal is simple: to provide access to art education that empowers people of all ages while restoring the Central YMCA as a hub for creativity, tech, and cultural connection.
⭐ About Ugly Talk:
Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.
With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.
Official Website: UglyTalk.com