Mana in Motion: How Meli James Is Redefining Success for Hawaiʻi’s Women

In this episode, we sit down with Meli James, cofounder of Mana Up and president of the Hawaiʻi Venture Capital Association, to discuss a unique perspective on community, creativity, and resilience. We talk about growing up in Hawai'i, navigating post-college uncertainty, discovering entrepreneurship, and returning home to build local opportunities

Key Themes:

• How Hawaiʻi’s culture shapes leadership and innovation
• Overcoming the feeling of being “stuck” after college
• Empowering the next generation of women in business
• The importance of creating global impact from a local foundation

Whether you’re a student in the islands or a young woman chasing your first big idea, Meli’s story is a reminder that success doesn’t mean leaving home—it can start right where your roots are.