Scott Na‘auao
• – • SALT at Our Kakaako
About the speaker
Scott Na‘auao is a co-founder and creative director of Welcome Stranger, a Hawai‘i-based brand identity studio creating engaging design and strategy for companies that want more. His multidisciplinary background in graphic design, photography, typography, and motion graphics has helped him to develop memorable and award-winning work for many of Hawaii's most recognized companies and successful brands.
With nearly twenty years of experience, Scott's projects often navigate the critical role of design in Hawai'i that aims to balance authenticity with the complex melting pot of cultures present in the Islands.
In 2022, he was a mentor for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honolulu Chapter, helping to bridge the gap between architecture and graphic design. Currently, he is a board member for RiseHI, a local non-profit whose mission is to empower keiki to grow and thrive in Hawai‘i.
Scott has spoken at both local and national design conferences, as well as local schools, from elementary to college, engaging audiences with topics ranging from graphic design to aloha.
In his free time, Scott is a Hawaiian cultural practitioner developing his skills in kalo farming, along with stone and wood carving. You can often find him at his neighborhood lo‘i, Papahana Kuaola, in Kāne‘ohe.
This bio was written by his wife who may not be impartial to him. And yes, his last name really does have five vowels in a row.
Local partners
Our mission is to serve Hawaii’s creative community by providing platforms for collaboration, learning, and cultural expression. Through innovative programming and transformative public art initiatives, we aim to enrich lives, revitalize communities, and inspire future generations of artists and creative thinkers.
As the emerging epicenter of progressive urban island living, Our Kaka‘ako is a vibrant community, encompassing nine city blocks in the heart of Kaka‘ako, that is home to artists, entrepreneurs, chefs, innovators and influencers. Rooted in Hawaiian cultural values and anchored by a strong sense of place, Our Kaka‘ako embraces creativity, inspires learning and discovery, and serves as a catalyst for new and innovative ideas. As a popular place to dine, shop, work, live, learn and visit, Our Kaka‘ako is truly a unique, dynamic local community.
Spend some time and relax at the new SALT at Our Kaka‘ako. SALT is a city block driven by passionate chefs, artists and entrepreneurs. From the hottest eateries to one-of-a-kind events, SALT is a local gathering place to eat, shop and have fun.
Named after the pa‘akai (‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i for “salt”) ponds that once dotted the low-lying wetlands of this area, SALT at Our Kaka‘ako is Honolulu’s epicenter for local culture, food, shopping and innovative events. Comprising of 85,000 square-feet of curated retail, restaurant and mixed-use space, SALT is a dynamic city block designed for exploration and engagement. SALT is the 2018 winner of the Shopping Center of the Year (SCOTY) award, presented by the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Creative Lab Hawaii is a State of Hawaii program composed of three separate modules: Immersive Programs, Ideation Workshops, and Public Programs. Their intention is to accelerate global export of Hawaii’s creative content and creative products to strengthen our creative entrepreneurs’ capacity for success.
Honolulu Coffee was founded in 1992 with one small kiosk in downtown Honolulu.
We strive daily to provide the complete Hawaiian Coffee experience. We feel that our past and future success is contingent upon maintaining and exceeding these goals.
Our Hawaiian style concept stretches throughout our cafes on three different islands and our expansion in Asia. As a result, people around the world are able to experience our great Kona coffee and outstanding customer service.
Completely isolated from the rest of the world, Waiākea offers purity in its ultimate form. Located just outside the quiet town of Hilo and surrounded by rich, bio-diverse forest preserves, a deep well source sits at the eastern base of the Mauna Loa volcano, one of the purest environments on Earth.
We are a Native Hawaiian wahine-owned family business with a passion to serve the thriving local art community here on the islands. Located in the heart of Kaka‘ako, we feel that it is our kuleana to make fine art printing accessible for everyone. Whether you’re an established artist or an emerging creative soul, we at Ki‘ikau Printers are here to support you in your vision and help you bring your work to life!
We are a Honolulu based digital marketing/creative agency. As a digital marketing agency, we take the “marketing” very seriously. Nothing is cookie-cutter and everything is tailored to our client’s needs and expectations. We are inspired by you. Your awesome is blended with our awesome — and with our powers combined; insert Captain Planet. JK. We strive to take your stellar ideas and build them into an unforgettable campaign. What’s considered an add-on service for most agencies is a basic inclusion for our clients. We take your requirements and intentions for your business vision and incorporate them into a personalized brand guide to begin any project. This becomes the first step into our epic, creative journey to tell your story in the best way possible.
TheBrewz are a Kaka’ako-based production and songwriting collective. Having worked on over 200+ songs crossing multiple genres since their inception in 2019 including high-profile collaborations with Grammy-nominated producer and singer Kimie Miner, Sonny Sandoval, lead singer of multi-platinum Grammy-nominated band P.O.D.
Splitting time between collaborating with artists and licensing their music in large-scale advertising campaigns and major television shows, their efforts have already proven a great success in their short time together.
MORI Hawaii is a creative platform that showcases a curated selection of art, apparel, and music inspired by Hawaii’s unique culture. The site features collaborations with local brands like Aloha Got Soul, offering vinyl records and merchandise, as well as works from featured local artists and other artistic creations. MORI Hawaii celebrates the vibrant creativity of the islands through its diverse offerings.
JPG Hawaii was founded in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2000 by three Hawaii born brothers with a dream. Originally starting as a small family business, JPG Hawaii has grown into one of Hawaii’s most unique print and design B2B serviceS companies.
Through our combined expertise, we have grown our list of services to provide a wide array of
resources to your business.
We work with clients from ideas and original concepts to final products. Our team can produce your project with the quality needed to make you stand out from the competition.
JPG Hawaii can help you increase your sales, promote your products, and enhance your overall brand image to bring it all to life!
In 2003 The Orchid Lei Company by ECAN RMS USA was established in Hawai‘i with the mission of embracing the tradition of lei giving culture by launching the new and transformed dendrobium orchid leis in both deluxe and signature premium leis. Our goal has always been to create a great company and loyal customer base that focuses on delivering high quality leis in each step of our operations. Now being the pioneer of creating the most unique and prestigious leis, we have over 550 various styles of lei in many different colors and patterns.
Our Vision is to be Hawai’i’s premier pakalolo provider, true to our local roots, uplifting of local partners, and cultivating an experience that celebrates the unique diversity of Hawai’i’s cultural heritage. Our Mission is to embrace kuleana (responsibility) by sharing la’au lapa’au (plant medicine) and aloha with all. Our Purpose is to cultivate ‘ohana in all that we do.
Additional details
Doors open to the public at 8:00am beginning with music by Kainoah, a light breakfast from La Paz, and Honolulu Coffee.
Stick around for giveaways from Spectra Foundation and more!
PARKING INFO: Enter on Keawe Street to access multi-level parking structure (P) 266 Stalls (10 ADA Stalls, 2 EV Charging Stalls) Automated Parking System Height Clearance: 7 feet Parking Garage Operating Hours: 24 hours FREE parking for the first hour, no validation required. With validation from SALT at Our Kaka‘ako shops or restaurants: 1st hour: FREE (no validation required) Up to 2 hours: $1 Up to 3 hours: $2 Up to 4 hours: $4 4 hours & up: $4 + posted rates
Standard Non-Validated Rate/Posted Rate: $3 per 30 minutes or fraction thereof. Lost Ticket: $48 Max. Daily: $48
Districtwide parking is available at: The Flats at Pu‘unui Keauhou Lane
Location
