How we do it the Pi’ikū way

Work-based learning program

We partner with local companies to create meaningful work-based learning opportunities. Participants are placed on multi-disciplinary teams of fellow interns, where they research, design, and build software solutions that address local companiesʻ business challenges. Along the way, interns receive one-on-one mentorship from highly-experienced mentors, professional development programming, and valuable networking opportunities.

Speaker series

We offer a year-long, hybrid speaker series designed to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s tech community by creating consistent, accessible spaces for connection, learning, and opportunity. Topics include resume, portfolio and interviewing tips; professional skill development; candid conversations about finding your way as a minority in the tech world; and more!

Community Building

Our community events bring together a diverse array of technologists, from leaders in Silicon Valley big tech, to local startup founders, to aspiring technologists fresh out of college and bootcamps. Pau hanas, potlucks, and volunteer days bring us together and strengthen our community.

Our legacy

46

Alumni

25

mentors

26

client companies

4

cohorts

Our History

  • Mar 2023

    “Circular Design Internship” idea was born

    CDI

  • Apr - jul 2023

    Cohort 1 Launches

    FROM a dream and a lot of support from the community...

  • Sept - nov 2023

    Cohort 2 x Blue Startups x STEMworks

  • Apr 2024

    Our Happy 1st Birthday!

  • Jul 2024

    Nominee for HVCA Social Entrepreneur Award

  • Jul - nov 2024

    Cohort 3 Launch

  • nov 2024

    Won the Kalo Live Pitch Grant!

  • JAn 2025 - June 2025

    Cohort 4 PKC x Zippyʻs internship

  • Mar 2023

    “Circular Design Internship” idea was born

    CDI

  • Apr - jul 2023

    Cohort 1 Launches

    FROM a dream and a lot of support from the community...

  • Sept - nov 2023

    Cohort 2 x Blue Startups x STEMworks

  • Apr 2024

    Our Happy 1st Birthday!

  • Jul 2024

    Nominee for HVCA Social Entrepreneur Award

  • Jul - nov 2024

    Cohort 3 Launch

  • nov 2024

    Won the Kalo Live Pitch Grant!

  • JAn 2025 - June 2025

    Cohort 4 PKC x Zippyʻs internship

Piʻikū means  “transpiration”–

the process by which water that has been absorbed through a plant, nourishes its leaves, and evaporates, rising into the air and returning into the water cycle.

the process by which water that has been absorbed through a plant, nourishes its leaves, and evaporates, rising into the air and returning into the water cycle.

It also means to climb or ascend.

We take our cues from our home, Hawaiʻi, and its ʻike to build regenerative systems that not only help our participants ascend to new heights and go off to new opportunities, but also contribute back to the local technology ecosystem, like rain nourishing new growth.

We take our cues from our home, Hawaiʻi, and its ʻike to build regenerative systems that not only help our participants ascend to new heights and go off to new opportunities, but also contribute back to the local technology ecosystem, like rain nourishing new growth.

And Co. isn’t short for “company.”

It’s the beginning of all our favorite words - collaborate, cooperate, community, and more. It’s an invitation to create with us.

To build something new, exciting, and bigger than all of us.

It’s the beginning of all our favorite words - collaborate, cooperate, community, and more. It’s an invitation to create with us.

To build something new, exciting, and bigger than all of us.

  • co-create • co-exist • community • co-invent • cooperate • congregate • co-design • conspire • co-create • co-exist • community • co-invent • cooperate • congregate • co-design • conspire •

Our values

Embody Aloha

We strive to create generous spaces where everyone is welcome.

Embrace Curiosity

Remember the wonder of the world and possibilities in design.

Be Brave

We strive to have courage to engage in productive discomfort during areas of disagreement or uncertainty.

The people behind the scenes

The core team

Carlo Liquido

Executive Director

Kim Davidson

Program Director

May Sermonia

Operations Director

Hana Nakano

Marketing & Communications Director

Ellie Tsuchiya

Grant Writer

Our Board members

Our Board members

Board President

Marissa Rowell

Director of Marketing @ ʻŌlelo Programming

Secretary

Tianna Johnson

People & Talent ( Formerly Talent at Render, Notion, Lyft and GitHub)

Treasurer

Sara La Torre

GTM Leader | Engineer | Advisor | Investor

Board Member

Ipo Wright

Digital Employee Experience Specialist @ Alaska Airlines

Board Member

Sage Keʻalohi quiamno

Strategic Communications & Content Leader @ Yoodli AI Roleplays

Board Member

Andrew taeoalii

Head of Engineering @ Reef.ai

Our advisors

Our advisors

Judd Antin

Consultant

Rana Kaanan

Chief Product Officer | Advisor | Founder

blain Kahoonei

Native Hawaiian Entrepreneur | Investor | Philanthropist

Allen Murabayashi

Entrepreneur

In the news

  • Article

    Zippy’s Upgrades Its Restaurant Digital Experience

    Piʻiku interns at Zippy’s have been working on creating a custom cake ordering website for Napoleon’s Bakery that will allow customers to select what kind of cake size, frosting and decorations they want.

  • video

    piiku x zippy's KITV: Island news feature

    Good Jobs Hawaii connects the islands’ top talent in various fields with local organizations. This keeps the best and brightest of Hawaiʻi in Hawaiʻi. Check out this Zippy’s x Piʻikū collab.

  • podcast

    Bytemarks Cafe: Pi’ikū Co.

    On todayʻs show we talk with Kim Davidson, Piʻikū President and Agency Lead and May Sermonia, Piʻikū Internship Program Director. Weʻll find out how Piʻikū.co is building a talent pool for the tech sector.

  • video

    Ōlelo Programming: Networking 101

    In this episode, we chat with Carlo Liquido, executive director and Hana Nakano, marketing & community directory to explore the challenges and opportunities for young professionals in tech and creative fields, workforce development initiatives, and how community-based networking can help keep jobs in Hawaii.

  • podcast

    Sera Tajima Podcast: Digital Equity

    Carlo Liquido is Founder of Lady Bandit Studios, a local product studio dedicated to shaping a more equitable future in Hawaii. Pi’iku, his internship program, provides career-building opportunities for aspiring Hawaii-connected designers.

  • awards

    HVCA: Social Entrepreneur Award Finalist

  • podcast

    Bytemarks Cafe: Pi’ikū Co.

    On todayʻs show we talk with Kim Davidson, Piʻikū President and Agency Lead and May Sermonia, Piʻikū Internship Program Director. Weʻll find out how Piʻikū.co is building a talent pool for the tech sector.

  • Article

    Zippy’s Upgrades Its Restaurant Digital Experience

    Piʻiku interns at Zippy’s have been working on creating a custom cake ordering website for Napoleon’s Bakery that will allow customers to select what kind of cake size, frosting and decorations they want.

  • video

    piiku x zippy's KITV: Island news feature

    Good Jobs Hawaii connects the islands’ top talent in various fields with local organizations. This keeps the best and brightest of Hawaiʻi in Hawaiʻi. Check out this Zippy’s x Piʻikū collab.

  • podcast

    Bytemarks Cafe: Pi’ikū Co.

    On todayʻs show we talk with Kim Davidson, Piʻikū President and Agency Lead and May Sermonia, Piʻikū Internship Program Director. Weʻll find out how Piʻikū.co is building a talent pool for the tech sector.

  • video

    Ōlelo Programming: Networking 101

    In this episode, we chat with Carlo Liquido, executive director and Hana Nakano, marketing & community directory to explore the challenges and opportunities for young professionals in tech and creative fields, workforce development initiatives, and how community-based networking can help keep jobs in Hawaii.

  • podcast

    Sera Tajima Podcast: Digital Equity

    Carlo Liquido is Founder of Lady Bandit Studios, a local product studio dedicated to shaping a more equitable future in Hawaii. Pi’iku, his internship program, provides career-building opportunities for aspiring Hawaii-connected designers.

  • awards

    HVCA: Social Entrepreneur Award Finalist

  • podcast

    Bytemarks Cafe: Pi’ikū Co.

    On todayʻs show we talk with Kim Davidson, Piʻikū President and Agency Lead and May Sermonia, Piʻikū Internship Program Director. Weʻll find out how Piʻikū.co is building a talent pool for the tech sector.

  • Article

    Zippy’s Upgrades Its Restaurant Digital Experience

    Piʻiku interns at Zippy’s have been working on creating a custom cake ordering website for Napoleon’s Bakery that will allow customers to select what kind of cake size, frosting and decorations they want.

  • video

    piiku x zippy's KITV: Island news feature

    Good Jobs Hawaii connects the islands’ top talent in various fields with local organizations. This keeps the best and brightest of Hawaiʻi in Hawaiʻi. Check out this Zippy’s x Piʻikū collab.

  • podcast

    Bytemarks Cafe: Pi’ikū Co.

    On todayʻs show we talk with Kim Davidson, Piʻikū President and Agency Lead and May Sermonia, Piʻikū Internship Program Director. Weʻll find out how Piʻikū.co is building a talent pool for the tech sector.

  • video

    Ōlelo Programming: Networking 101

    In this episode, we chat with Carlo Liquido, executive director and Hana Nakano, marketing & community directory to explore the challenges and opportunities for young professionals in tech and creative fields, workforce development initiatives, and how community-based networking can help keep jobs in Hawaii.

  • podcast

    Sera Tajima Podcast: Digital Equity

    Carlo Liquido is Founder of Lady Bandit Studios, a local product studio dedicated to shaping a more equitable future in Hawaii. Pi’iku, his internship program, provides career-building opportunities for aspiring Hawaii-connected designers.

  • awards

    HVCA: Social Entrepreneur Award Finalist

  • podcast

    Bytemarks Cafe: Pi’ikū Co.

    On todayʻs show we talk with Kim Davidson, Piʻikū President and Agency Lead and May Sermonia, Piʻikū Internship Program Director. Weʻll find out how Piʻikū.co is building a talent pool for the tech sector.

Want to learn more?

Check out our cross functional internship

Want to learn more?

Check out our cross functional internship

Want to learn more?

Check out our cross functional internship

Subscribe for updates

Be the first to hear about upcoming cohorts, community events, opportunities to get involved, and more.
Follow us on

Piʻikū Co. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the State of Hawaiʻi.

Subscribe for updates

Be the first to hear about upcoming cohorts, community events, opportunities to get involved, and more.
Follow us on

Piʻikū Co. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the State of Hawaiʻi.

Subscribe for updates

Be the first to hear about upcoming cohorts, community events, opportunities to get involved, and more.
Follow us on

Piʻikū Co. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the State of Hawaiʻi.