Ho‘akea Communications LLC specializes in communications & community building— creating stronger communities and companies through an effective communications strategy that includes outreach, media management, public affairs, and community relations. We engage in projects that strengthen the economic, social and cultural diversity of Hawai‘i. Our team is experienced in the skills that reflect our name: Ho‘akea—to broaden, to reach out, and to unobstruct. We are committed to protecting and perpetuating the unique historic and social traditions of Hawai‘i and its people. 

Barbara Tanabe has conducted news media training for business executives and government leaders in Hawai‘i and Asia, and handled crisis communications for numerous projects involving hotel management changes, plant closures, consumer boycotts, litigation, and strikes. She has also developed communications plans for major businesses seeking to increase its presence in new markets and communities.

Jim McCoy has developed a news media management plan for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to increase understanding and awareness of Hawaiian governance. He has expanded news media coverage of Hawaiian issues by providing access to key resources for reporters and preparing briefings of major issues. Jim also directed news media coverage of the Education Summit which focused on specific measures to reinvent the public education system.

Joseph Lapilio III has more than 25 years of community development experience. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawai‘i Community Services Council which followed a position as a Community Development Facilitator for the Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center and the Executive Director for the Wai`anae Coast Coalition. His specialties include community assessment, community-based planning, coalition building, strategic planning, community benchmarking and facilitation. His previous work includes developing a community development corporation on the Wai‘anae Coast which today is a model for community building and benchmarking for other communities in Hawai‘i. Mr. Lapilio was selected as a Civic Entrepreneur by the PEW Charitable Trust and is currently vice-president for the board of directors of the Wai‘anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. He is also a board member for Alternative Structures International. Mr. Lapilio received his BA from Antioch University in Community Planning and Development and has a MA in Public Administration from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.