Heartbeat Narratives

Hi'ilei: Rebuilding Lāhainā with Love

Episode Summary

In this episode of Heartbeat Narratives, we talk story with Hiʻilei, a carpenter from Lāhainā, Maui who shares how following your intuition can lead to a fulfilling career. From her early days on the basketball court to navigating a male-dominated industry, she shares how grit and discipline shaped her path in the construction industry. Hiʻilei reflects on the heartbreaking Maui wildfires of August 2023 and how she found her calling to rebuild homes across Lāhainā. She opens up about walking in her purpose, trusting in Ke Akua and managing self care while off the job. With the dream to have Lāhainā ʻohana return to their homes, Hiʻilei's sincerity invites us into her day-to-day life and what 'rebuilding' means in all senses of the word. Mahalo nui for listening. Episode Highlights 00:00 Welina mai Hiʻilei 01:43 Lāhainā 02:13 Becoming a carpenter 04:40 Basketball laid the foundation for hard work, grit, resilience 06:47 Maui wildfires in August 2023 08:13 Changing the narrative for herself 09:52 Walking in purpose: rebuilding homes for Lāhainā ʻohana 12:58 Giving aloha no matter what - loving on others is key 13:55 Dreams for the future of Lāhainā - getting families home 15:24 Focusing and self care 17:35 What makes your heart beat? 18:38 Advice for those interested in carpentry and construction 20:32 Working in a male dominated industry, balancing the inner feminine and masculine 21:57 Build merit: How to hold your own on job sites 25:15 Tools and tricks 101 26:53 On the horizon Photo credit: Hiʻilei

Episode Notes

In this episode of Heartbeat Narratives, we talk story with Hiʻilei, a carpenter from Lāhainā, Maui who shares how following your intuition can lead to a fulfilling career. From her early days on the basketball court to navigating a male-dominated industry, she shares how grit and discipline shaped her path in the construction industry. Hiʻilei reflects on the heartbreaking Maui wildfires of August 2023 and how she found her calling to rebuild homes across Lāhainā. She opens up about walking in her purpose, trusting in Ke Akua and managing self care while off the job. With the dream to have Lāhainā ʻohana return home, Hiʻilei's sincerity invites us into her day-to-day life and what 'rebuilding' means in all senses of the word. Mahalo nui for listening. 

Episode Highlights
00:00 Welina mai Hiʻilei 

01:43 Lāhainā 

02:13 Becoming a carpenter 

04:40 Basketball laid the foundation for hard work, grit, resilience

06:47 Maui wildfires in August 2023

08:13 Changing the narrative for herself 

09:52 Walking in purpose: rebuilding homes for Lāhainā ʻohana

12:58 Giving aloha no matter what -  loving on others is key 

13:55 Dreams for the future of Lāhainā - getting families home

15:24 Focusing and self care

17:35 What makes your heart beat? 

18:38 Advice for those interested in carpentry and construction 

20:32 Working in a male dominated industry, balancing the inner feminine and masculine

21:57 Build merit: how to hold your own on job sites

25:15 Tools and tricks 101

26:53 On the horizon 

Photo credit: Hiʻilei