🌟 Aloha ʻOhana,
October is here, and with it a fresh slate of ways to learn, connect, and build. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been here since block one, our mission is the same: help locals keep more value, grow generational wealth, and stay rooted in Hawaiʻi through practical digital tools.
Our very own Skylor Tengan with Britney Ta’amu-Miyoshiro of the Honolulu Bitdevs and Naomi Yoshida of Knew.io at the Pacific Blockchain Summit 2025
Community Recap
Last month, our team had the honor of attending the Pacific Blockchain Summit 2025 right here in Hawaiʻi. It was an inspiring gathering of innovators, policymakers, and community leaders from across the Pacific region. We connected with builders who are tackling real issue from remittance solutions to tokenized agriculture, and shared our vision of financial literacy as the foundation for sustainable adoption.
Highlights:
Local voices at the forefront: Hawaiʻi projects like Mālama Carbon and IndigiDAO showcased how blockchain can serve both people and planet.
Policy + Practice: Panels explored how to promote blockchain growth and opportunity, ensuring locals don’t get left behind.
Our contribution: We met with fellow nonprofits and educators to explore partnerships that will extend workshops and resources into schools and small businesses.
A special shout-out to our friend Ellen Ng for their hard work and dedication in putting the Pacific Blockchain Summit together and for allowing us to be a part of the event and contribute to such an inspiring gathering. We’re excited to carry the momentum forward into our fall workshops. 📸 See photos and highlights from the summit here.
Sean Cover sharing the stage with the co-founder of Metamask, Aaron Davis (Kumavis)
Our good friend Ellen Ng with Hawaii State Senator Jarrett Keohokalole
📚 Crypto Made Simple: What is DeFi?
DeFi stands for Decentralized Finance. Instead of relying on banks or middlemen, DeFi uses blockchain technology to let people lend, borrow, save, and trade directly with each other. Think of it as a digital version of community banking that’s open 24/7, faster, and often with fewer fees. But just like surfing, you should practice in small waves before paddling out deeper.
Security Tip
Three layers: (1) Strong passphrases, (2) hardware wallet for savings, (3) burner wallet for experiments. Practice with tiny amounts first.
🗓️ Upcoming Events and Workshops
Talk Story Session: Kiribati, Climate Change, and the Case for Blockchain
Join us later this month for a special Talk Story session with Harvard Alumni, Glen White, as he shares insights from his master’s thesis on the tiny island nation of Kiribati and how he believes blockchain can empower their people through financial sovereignty and resilience. This is a chance to connect, ask questions, and explore how global lessons can inspire local action here in Hawaiʻi.
Event Date: October 16, 2025
Location: YMCA of Honolulu - Central Branch
Featured Video 🎥
Building Digital Sovereignty with IndigiDAO
We recently sat down with Richard Ng, Program Manager of IndigiDAO, to talk about how blockchain can help indigenous communities build digital sovereignty and economic resilience. The conversation dives into how decentralized tools can protect cultural knowledge, support collective decision‑making, and open up new opportunities for local economies.
▶️ Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel
Community Spotlight
We’re proud to highlight ED3 Weekly, another local publication doing incredible work in promoting digital tools for education. Their weekly updates break down how technology—especially blockchain and AI—is reshaping learning both locally and globally. From lesson plan ideas to student-led projects, ED3 Weekly is helping Hawaiʻi educators and learners stay ahead in the digital age.
🔧 Cool Tool from Our Community
A fun, visual way to see what’s happening in the crypto market. Each bubble represents a coin—size shows market cap, and color shows price change. It’s a great learning tool for visual thinkers! Mahalo to Ian for showing us this one! Available on iOS and Android
Mahalo to Our Sponsors
Big mahalo to Stand with Crypto for sponsoring us and leading the charge to make sure crypto innovation has a voice. If you want to be part of their mission and help shape the future of crypto policy, check them out and get involved here ➡️ Stand with Crypto
“The best way to predict the future is to build it.”
Talk Story Corner
Have a question? Curious about a term you keep hearing? Want to know how blockchain might actually help in everyday life here in Hawaiʻi?
📩 Email us at [email protected]
📱 DM us on Instagram @blockchain_in_paradise
We may feature some of your questions in our next newsletter (don’t worry, we’ll keep it friendly and anonymous unless you want a shout-out 🤙).
Remember: no question is too small. If it’s on your mind, chances are others are wondering the same thing. Let’s talk story and learn together as an ʻohana.
Closing Thoughts
As head into October, we’re filled with gratitude for every conversation, collaboration, and new face we’ve met along this journey. From summits to community pau hanas, every moment reminds us why we do this: To keep innovation in Hawaiʻi by locals, for locals.
We’re grateful for this community. Share this newsletter with a friend who needs a supportive on-ramp. A little knowledge goes a long way.
Let’s continue learning, building, and sharing knowledge rooted in aloha. Until next time, stay curious, stay secure, and stay connected, and most of all, stay rooted in aloha. 🤙
A hui hou,