Lisa Pakele

Lisa Pakele is a dynamic leader committed to empowering communities and preserving cultural heritage in Hawaii. As the Program Director for INPEACE’s Center for Entrepreneurship, Lisa has helped countless aspiring business owners turn their dreams into reality. Her journey with INPEACE began over 22 years ago in early childhood education, where she oversaw programs that supported families and young children. About seven years ago, recognizing the entrepreneurial potential within the families she served, she transitioned into business development. 

In addition to her role at INPEACE, Lisa is the owner of Pakele Entertainment LLC, a business she co-founded with her late husband, a celebrated Hawaiian artist, in 2019. Pakele Entertainment provides live music entertainment, sound system services, and studio space for emerging artists. The business continues as a small, family-run operation, with Lisa and her son—who is also a recording artist—at the helm. Deeply rooted in Hawaii’s cultural landscape, Pakele Entertainment serves a diverse audience, including local communities, event organizers, and up-and-coming artists. 

Before becoming a YWCA Oʻahu client, Lisa faced challenges in business planning, financial management, and finding the right niche for Pakele Entertainment’s growth. Despite her deep industry experience, developing a structured business plan and scaling the family-run business proved difficult. Additionally, her responsibilities at INPEACE left her with limited time to focus on strategic growth for her own venture. 

Through YWCA Oʻahu, Lisa received personalized support that addressed these specific challenges. Senior Manager Valerie Kubota provided workshops, coaching, and guidance focused on business plan development—an area where Lisa had identified a gap. The Foundations program equipped her with essential tools, like organizing business documents, creating checklists, and setting up a system to track her progress. This structure helped clarify her business goals and gave her a replicable system to use in both her business and her work at INPEACE. 

Beyond business planning, YWCA Oʻahu provided Lisa with access to a network of experts and resources. Val’s willingness to engage with Lisa and offer tailored, practical advice helped Lisa gain confidence in navigating both her nonprofit role and her business endeavors. 

Reflecting on her experience, Lisa shared, “Going through the MBDA program, especially the workshops with Val, has really filled a huge gap that I’ve had for years around business plan support. They provided foundational tools that were so simple yet effective—like organizing business documents with a binder and checklist—that I was missing because I was so caught up in the work. It’s been a big help for me as a business owner, and now I can take what I’ve learned and duplicate it to help the businesses I work with. The impact has been huge.” 

Lisa’s dedication to supporting small businesses extends beyond her role at Pakele Entertainment. As the Program Director for INPEACE’s Center for Entrepreneurship, she has become a vital resource for entrepreneurs across Hawaii. The Center offers educational workshops, one-on-one coaching, and networking events to help business owners at every stage of their journey. Lisa’s unique perspective as both a business owner and community leader allow her to provide practical advice and emotional support, helping countless small businesses thrive while contributing to the preservation of Hawaiian culture and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.