Be part of this year’s UXHI Conference — get your ticket early or support as a sponsor today.
Be part of this year’s UXHI Conference — apply to speak or support as a sponsor today.
The Lineup
Meet our UXHI Conference speaker lineup. Tune in and learn how they’re thinking, what they’re making, and what's next.
Corinne Okada Takara
Artist and STEAM Educator, Okada Design & Nest Makerspace
Corinne Okada Takara is an Oʻahu-based artist/STEAM educator exploring intersections of culture, biology, and design. Founder of Okada Design, Nest Makerspace, Pono STEAM Kits, and the Mizu-Wai project, she creates participatory installations and programs that weave ancestral knowledge, community storytelling, technology, and bio-innovation to inspire inclusive, place-rooted futures.
Corinne Okada Takara
Artist and STEAM Educator, Okada Design & Nest Makerspace
Corinne Okada Takara is an Oʻahu-based artist/STEAM educator exploring intersections of culture, biology, and design. Founder of Okada Design, Nest Makerspace, Pono STEAM Kits, and the Mizu-Wai project, she creates participatory installations and programs that weave ancestral knowledge, community storytelling, technology, and bio-innovation to inspire inclusive, place-rooted futures.
Corinne Okada Takara
Artist and STEAM Educator, Okada Design & Nest Makerspace
Corinne Okada Takara is an Oʻahu-based artist/STEAM educator exploring intersections of culture, biology, and design. Founder of Okada Design, Nest Makerspace, Pono STEAM Kits, and the Mizu-Wai project, she creates participatory installations and programs that weave ancestral knowledge, community storytelling, technology, and bio-innovation to inspire inclusive, place-rooted futures.
Gage Minamoto
Designer, Freelance
Gage Minamoto is a Hawai‘i-based designer with 3 years of experience freelancing with startups and organizations to create software and brand experiences. He has worked with clients including Servco and University of Hawai‘i Esports, and shares his passion for uplifting the next generation of designers through talks and workshops.
Gage Minamoto
Designer, Freelance
Gage Minamoto is a Hawai‘i-based designer with 3 years of experience freelancing with startups and organizations to create software and brand experiences. He has worked with clients including Servco and University of Hawai‘i Esports, and shares his passion for uplifting the next generation of designers through talks and workshops.
Gage Minamoto
Designer, Freelance
Gage Minamoto is a Hawai‘i-based designer with 3 years of experience freelancing with startups and organizations to create software and brand experiences. He has worked with clients including Servco and University of Hawai‘i Esports, and shares his passion for uplifting the next generation of designers through talks and workshops.
Kim Davidson
Product Leader
SESSION: An Introduction to Tech Criticism
Kim has worked in social impact tech for 15 years, including website and app builds for nonprofits, government, and political organizations. She currently contracts as a fractional product leader while building Piʻikū Co., a nonprofit helping local people launch technology careers.
Kim Davidson
Product Leader
SESSION: An Introduction to Tech Criticism
Kim has worked in social impact tech for 15 years, including website and app builds for nonprofits, government, and political organizations. She currently contracts as a fractional product leader while building Piʻikū Co., a nonprofit helping local people launch technology careers.
Kim Davidson
Product Leader
SESSION: An Introduction to Tech Criticism
Kim has worked in social impact tech for 15 years, including website and app builds for nonprofits, government, and political organizations. She currently contracts as a fractional product leader while building Piʻikū Co., a nonprofit helping local people launch technology careers.
Krizel Tomines
UX Researcher, Majesco
SESSION: State of UX in Hawai'i
Kim has worked in social impact tech for 15 years, including website and app builds for nonprofits, government, and political organizations. She currently contracts as a fractional product leader while building Piʻikū Co., a nonprofit helping local people launch technology careers.
Krizel Tomines
UX Researcher, Majesco
SESSION: State of UX in Hawai'i
Kim has worked in social impact tech for 15 years, including website and app builds for nonprofits, government, and political organizations. She currently contracts as a fractional product leader while building Piʻikū Co., a nonprofit helping local people launch technology careers.
Krizel Tomines
UX Researcher, Majesco
SESSION: State of UX in Hawai'i
Kim has worked in social impact tech for 15 years, including website and app builds for nonprofits, government, and political organizations. She currently contracts as a fractional product leader while building Piʻikū Co., a nonprofit helping local people launch technology careers.
Dr. Laura Morrison
Ontario Tech U
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Dr. Laura Morrison is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University. Her research focuses on innovative education and emerging technologies, with expertise in critical digital literacies, promising practices for online and hyflex teaching and learning and making as a pedagogical approach for inclusive education. Her current research is investigating AI literacy and ethics in education.
Dr. Laura Morrison
Ontario Tech U
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Dr. Laura Morrison is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University. Her research focuses on innovative education and emerging technologies, with expertise in critical digital literacies, promising practices for online and hyflex teaching and learning and making as a pedagogical approach for inclusive education. Her current research is investigating AI literacy and ethics in education.
Dr. Laura Morrison
Ontario Tech U
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Dr. Laura Morrison is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University. Her research focuses on innovative education and emerging technologies, with expertise in critical digital literacies, promising practices for online and hyflex teaching and learning and making as a pedagogical approach for inclusive education. Her current research is investigating AI literacy and ethics in education.
Makana Waikiki
Director of Marketing + Digital Creator, Purple Maiʻa
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Makana Waikiki is a Native Hawaiian leader, marketer, and storyteller dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices. With expertise in branding, community engagement, and digital storytelling, she helps nonprofits and mission-driven organizations connect authentically. She envisions a future where Indigenous perspectives shape global conversations and inspire meaningful change.
Makana Waikiki
Director of Marketing + Digital Creator, Purple Maiʻa
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Makana Waikiki is a Native Hawaiian leader, marketer, and storyteller dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices. With expertise in branding, community engagement, and digital storytelling, she helps nonprofits and mission-driven organizations connect authentically. She envisions a future where Indigenous perspectives shape global conversations and inspire meaningful change.
Makana Waikiki
Director of Marketing + Digital Creator, Purple Maiʻa
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Makana Waikiki is a Native Hawaiian leader, marketer, and storyteller dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices. With expertise in branding, community engagement, and digital storytelling, she helps nonprofits and mission-driven organizations connect authentically. She envisions a future where Indigenous perspectives shape global conversations and inspire meaningful change.
Phaedra Robinson, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO at RAI Hawai'i
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Founder and CEO of RAI Hawai'i LLC, an Out of School program, featuring a research based, pop-up makerspace focused on the physical coding of robots and early block coding. RAI HI's vision and mission include equitable access to high-quality STEAM programs that cultivate technological literacy, spur creativity, and enhance problem-solving skills among students and their teachers. Since launching her business in early 2022, her program has impacted approximately 1000 students and educators throughout Oahu and the larger island of Hawai'i. Her degrees are from the Rossier School of Education, at USC, where she is an active alumna, and also a double alumna of the College of Education at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
Phaedra Robinson, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO at RAI Hawai'i
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Founder and CEO of RAI Hawai'i LLC, an Out of School program, featuring a research based, pop-up makerspace focused on the physical coding of robots and early block coding. RAI HI's vision and mission include equitable access to high-quality STEAM programs that cultivate technological literacy, spur creativity, and enhance problem-solving skills among students and their teachers. Since launching her business in early 2022, her program has impacted approximately 1000 students and educators throughout Oahu and the larger island of Hawai'i. Her degrees are from the Rossier School of Education, at USC, where she is an active alumna, and also a double alumna of the College of Education at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
Phaedra Robinson, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO at RAI Hawai'i
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Founder and CEO of RAI Hawai'i LLC, an Out of School program, featuring a research based, pop-up makerspace focused on the physical coding of robots and early block coding. RAI HI's vision and mission include equitable access to high-quality STEAM programs that cultivate technological literacy, spur creativity, and enhance problem-solving skills among students and their teachers. Since launching her business in early 2022, her program has impacted approximately 1000 students and educators throughout Oahu and the larger island of Hawai'i. Her degrees are from the Rossier School of Education, at USC, where she is an active alumna, and also a double alumna of the College of Education at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
Taryn Fukuji
Product Designer, Piʻikū Alum
SESSION: Built By Us: Why Local Talent Should Design Local Tech- A Zippy’s Case Study
Born and raised on Oahu, Taryn is a Product Designer rooted in creating digital experiences that reflect and serve local communities. She recently completed a Product Design internship with Piʻikū, where she co-led the redesign of Zippy's online ordering system. Now taking on freelance projects, she continues to refine her craft while uplifting local designers as Events Manager for UXHI, helping to organize events that bring people together and support the growth of UX in Hawaiʻi.
Taryn Fukuji
Product Designer, Piʻikū Alum
SESSION: Built By Us: Why Local Talent Should Design Local Tech- A Zippy’s Case Study
Born and raised on Oahu, Taryn is a Product Designer rooted in creating digital experiences that reflect and serve local communities. She recently completed a Product Design internship with Piʻikū, where she co-led the redesign of Zippy's online ordering system. Now taking on freelance projects, she continues to refine her craft while uplifting local designers as Events Manager for UXHI, helping to organize events that bring people together and support the growth of UX in Hawaiʻi.
Taryn Fukuji
Product Designer, Piʻikū Alum
SESSION: Built By Us: Why Local Talent Should Design Local Tech- A Zippy’s Case Study
Born and raised on Oahu, Taryn is a Product Designer rooted in creating digital experiences that reflect and serve local communities. She recently completed a Product Design internship with Piʻikū, where she co-led the redesign of Zippy's online ordering system. Now taking on freelance projects, she continues to refine her craft while uplifting local designers as Events Manager for UXHI, helping to organize events that bring people together and support the growth of UX in Hawaiʻi.
Todd Cullison
Executive Director, Hawai‘i Nature Center
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Mr. Cullison 25-year career has focused on endangered salmon in Oregon and watershed restoration and environmental education in Hawaii. Since 2019, he has been the Executive Director of Hawai‘i Nature Center. Environmental education and watershed restoration interests rooted in college while working at Washington State University’s Center for Environmental Education.
Todd Cullison
Executive Director, Hawai‘i Nature Center
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Mr. Cullison 25-year career has focused on endangered salmon in Oregon and watershed restoration and environmental education in Hawaii. Since 2019, he has been the Executive Director of Hawai‘i Nature Center. Environmental education and watershed restoration interests rooted in college while working at Washington State University’s Center for Environmental Education.
Todd Cullison
Executive Director, Hawai‘i Nature Center
SESSION: Connecting to Place: Bridging Community, Culture, and Practice in Hawaiʻi
Mr. Cullison 25-year career has focused on endangered salmon in Oregon and watershed restoration and environmental education in Hawaii. Since 2019, he has been the Executive Director of Hawai‘i Nature Center. Environmental education and watershed restoration interests rooted in college while working at Washington State University’s Center for Environmental Education.