Deep roots, strong values, and a clear understanding that our kuleana is to serve the needs and interests of our community.
Who We Are
Paʻakai Communications is a boutique consultancy with deep roots and a clear understanding that our kuleana is to serve the needs and interests of our community. When Paʻakai Communications opened up shop in 2020, the firm brought together passionate and skilled communications, relationship-building and storytelling professionals who were on the upward trajectory of their careers and committed to doing meaningful work in a meaningful way that honored community, family, and integrity.
Paʻakai Communications uses the tools and strategies of integrated communications, community relations, and transformation strategy to build strength within Hawaiʻi in service of people and place. Our ability to work with and within the community to develop solutions for, plan, and envision a thriving future for Hawaiʻi is built on a foundation of pilina, mutual understanding, respect, and authenticity. We are built to be nimble and responsive to client and project needs, and excel at working through the complexities of today’s unprecedented challenges holding the best interest of Hawaiʻi at heart.
Paʻakai Communications Core Team
Christine Matsuda, Principal
Christine Matsuda finds joy in doing work that advances the interests of our community here in Hawaiʻi, from working to spark transformation for Maunakea astronomy, providing media relations in support of Hōkūleʻa’s Worldwide Voyage, to public health campaigns in response to the pandemic. A decade of experience in issues management, crisis communications, community engagement and public relations continues to prove that the more challenging the issue, the more complex the misunderstandings probably are between the people involved. Christine has learned that listening, building commonality, and storytelling with authenticity are cornerstones of how we can advance as a community, together.
Christine was raised in Kaimuki on the island of Oʻahu in the shade of mango trees and under the watchful eyes of exacting aunties. After attending Punahou School, Christine studied comparative literature and dove into the impact of news media on society during her time at the University of Southern California. Christine is privileged to spend time in Nuʻuanu, Kaʻaʻawa, Hilo and Waimea for both family ties and professional collaborations. She can usually be found with her rascal sons in tow for the adventures around every corner.
Diana Hahn, Creative Director
Diana Hahn is a writer, UX strategist, and communications professional with fifteen years of experience in tech and wellness startups. She is a seasoned storyteller, project and operations manager, and former executive who has built her career on doing work that makes a direct and meaningful impact in the world - locally and at large.
She is currently based in Waimea on Hawai'i Island, and freelances independently and with Pa'akai Communications. Diana’s skills include copywriting, content creation, website development, brand and voice development/management, project management, communications, product development, operations, and executive management. Diana’s broad experience and knowledge base allow her to speak to and balance the needs, priorities, and expectations of multiple stakeholders.
Aerinne Morisoli, Operations Lead
Aerinne Morisoli, Paʻakai Communications Operations Lead, specializes in optimizing operational capacity while delivering exceptional customer service through timely deliverables and responsive guidance. With a strategic mindset and meticulous attention to detail, Aerinne collaborates closely with clients to understand their distinct needs, objectives, and challenges. Her commitment to efficiency is evident, ensuring punctual execution on projects so clients can seize opportunities as they arise.
Aerinne was born and raised in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Her small town roots are entrenched in her, but her yearning for something more grew after studying abroad. Aerinne eventually moved to Kailua, HI where she and her husband have grown their family and laid down their own roots.
Emma Knight Markrich, Communications Consultant and Digital Strategist
Emma is a versatile communications strategist specializing in social media content strategy and media relations. She’s worked with in-house communications teams of multinational companies, federal government agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, global PR agencies, boutique communications firms, and nonprofits. Emma is passionate about harnessing the power of communications to educate and empower communities so they can make well-informed decisions. Her work has taken her around the world, including Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Washington, D.C., and she currently lives on O'ahu. Emma is a graduate of the University of Amsterdam and American University.
In ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, the word paʻakai means sea salt. In Hawaiian culture, paʻakai is used as medicine, in ceremonies for cleansing, and for food preservation. Across cultures, it is used for transformation. In simple everyday use in the kitchen and the home, paʻakai can do incredible things. Paʻakai can preserve what is good and precious, completely change the flavor of a dish, and even alter the molecular makeup of something.
For us here at Paʻakai Communications, our name reminds us that when we come as a partner to a project, we have the ability to make a contribution that will not only present something new to the world, but can make it better. Although no single one of us has all the answers, we believe that through utilizing our skillset and collaborating with others, we can create the solutions we need and contribute to our community.
He wahī pa‘akai.
Just a package of salt.
Something good; a gift of anything one has grown or made.
- 972 ‘Ōlelo No‘eau
What We Offer
Strategy. Storytelling. Outreach. Execution.
Paʻakai Communications is a full-service communications and community relations firm. From strategy and materials development to deployment, we can help with any or every aspect of your marketing and communications needs. Services include:
Integrated communications strategy
Community relations
Stakeholder engagement
Marketing
Messaging
Media relations
Digital media
Website development
Creative design
Project management
Collaborators
We are honored to have long-term working relationships with these creatives & content specialists.
Ready to chat?
If you have an idea, project, business, or organization that you seek to amplify for the benefit of our community, we’d love to connect with you. Communication is so often critical to the success of an initiative. Let us support you in doing it in the most pono way.