Building our dream
Our vision is to grow a lighting movement that prioritizes innovation, sustainability, and community.
Our mission is to cultivate interactive and immersive experiences by bringing cutting-edge lighting and visual technology to any space or event.
HI Lights Design was born out of our team's combined passions for creativity, technology, and good vibes. Our founders are island kids who worked hard to pursue diverse opportunities around the world. Coming from more laidback cultures, we were inspired by the cutting-edge lighting innovations in Germany, Singapore, Japan, and Dubai. Back at home, we realized a need in Hawai'i for a company that could step up and take big risks to make the latest event technologies more accessible in the islands. We're dreamers AND doers, here to shake up the industry while also strengthening our community and having a blast!
Our Chief Technology Officer, Paul, was raised in the Marshall Islands where he developed a fascination for the technical aspects of production at a young age. At 12 years old he began booking community centers in Kwajalein to set up dances for the youth, featuring the latest CDs his aunty was sending over from the states. At 17, he came to Hawai'i to be a Production Assistant for Events International, and went on to become a Lighting Designer, Show Rigger, Master Electrician, Audio Engineer, Stage Manager, and Video Producer. By 18 years old, he was the Production Manager for the Honolulu Symphony. In 2017, he began touring the world as the Lighting Director and Production Manager for Café Tacvba, one of Mexico's most renowned rock and pop acts. Now, when he's not overseeing all things tech at HI Lights Design, Paul is also the Director of Production Services at Events International. He's an expert in Vector Works CAD drafting and vision previsualization software, holds a Master Entertainment Electrician title, and is fluent in Spanish. He's big on community and approaches every project with a spirit of teamwork and collaboration. ​​​​​​​​​
Alia, our Chief Executive Officer, was raised in central O'ahu and grew up in the production industry. Her father was a highly respected Production Engineer, instilling in her a love of videography and digital art. She began working in television at a young age, doing everything from commercial acting to transcribing and captioning to writing, producing, shooting, and hosting her own show about local community services. She was even a Master Control Operator. Alia has made two mini-documentaries: one about the Sumida Farm that grows watercress in front of Pearlridge Shopping Center, the other about traditional Polynesian tattooing. She’s earned multiple degrees at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, and a PhD from Syracuse University. When she's not engrossed in HI Lights Design business, she works as an independent researcher and develops science and technology-based curriculum. Alia brings her high level problem-solving skills and a meticulous eye for detail to all her work. She is a sculpturist, plant enthusiast, and loves to travel. Ask her where she’s been!