What is a “coworking space”?

It’s a comfortable collaborative workspace. It’s a casual work environment with different places to set up and get your stuff done – communal tables and separate areas for solo, focused working – as well as lounge spaces and a kitchenette.  YOUTUBE VIDEO

What is coworking like?

Imagine a coworking space as a comfortable, open office that you could wear jeans, board shorts, and slippahs too. You can go there when you wanted, or not. There are people working there you know who either leave you alone to focus or bend your ear and be social. You sit in an open seating area in a comfortable chair with desk space, or you could have your own special space that no one else uses. There’s dependable, blazing-fast Wi-Fi. At Kuleana.work we also have small offices available you can rent. There’s a lounge area for when you need to stand up and take a break, and a kitchenette with regenerator for your special food. People are known to bring beer.

Where else does coworking happen now?

It’s a world-wide thing, becoming more popular all the time. Some locations are tiny offices with just a few coworkers, others are huge facilities that have large separate offices and large multi- use spaces. There are in-between coworking spaces of all shapes and sizes. Converted offices or other renovated and re-purposed storefronts, churches, schools, or spaces purposely- designed and built for coworking.  YOUTUBE VIDEO

Who does coworking?

Anyone who could work from a coffee shop is a potential member. People who work at home and want to be around others every now and then. Some people who are a great fit:

• Any tech worker or freelancer that telecommutes with a laptop
• Entrepreneurs working on starting or breathing life into a young business
• People traveling on business who need a reliable place to work
• Business owners who want office space but without the complexities of a lease
• Realtors, lawyers, accountants, and any other professional who can leave the office on occasion and work from home or somewhere else
• Any telecommuter, online educator, job-seeker looking for an open office
• People who have regular office jobs, but with “side” hustles or projects

How long has this been going on?

World-wide, these spaces have been a thing since the late 90s. It started in Vienna, then spread all over Europe. From there, coworking spaces started popping up throughout the US and the rest of the world around 2007.  LEARN MORE

Why not just work at home?

Coworking is flexible; it gives you options. Sometimes you can and do work at home. But sometimes you want to be away from all the distractions at your place. Sometimes you want to be around other people besides the family. At times, purposefully going somewhere in particular helps you focus on the work you need to get done. Being with other people gives rise to spontaneous connections, unplanned but valuable collaboration. It’s cliché, but sometimes you really do want to go where everybody knows your name.  YOUTUBE VIDEO

Why not just work at a coffee shop?

Where to start? First: the noise. You’re lucky to find good seating. There’s zero privacy, and lots of people not focused on getting things done. Power outlets are few, and the Wi-Fi is sketchy.  The seating can be uncomfortable; not really a great place to spend a whole work day. Also, you can’t print, can’t really do video meetings. And there’s the expectation you’ll buy spendy coffee and treats. And more noise. What’s not to love?

Why not work at the library?

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh – no talking. No loud typing. No chatting by the water cooler. Beware the agitated drifters. And the library Wi-Fi blocks a lot of web destinations. Be mindful of limited hours of operation. And also, no printing.

Why not work at a resort?

This is perfectly acceptable if you’re staying at the resort in question, but if you’re not the staff tends to take a dim view of people enjoying the amenities. Even seating and Wi-Fi meant for guests. You might be able to blend in and look like a visiting tourist, but looking over your shoulder or being asked politely to leave while you’re in the middle of your conference call doesn’t seem conducive to getting work done.

Well, why someone would pay to go to a coworking space?

Certainly not everyone would. But every year more and more people do. They don’t want to spend all their time working at home, they want to connect with other similar people and get the best parts of the office but only go in whenever they want. A place where everyone’s paying to go is more exclusive and regulated than free, public spaces like a mall food court. It’s a place defined as a space where work gets done, and put together specifically for that purpose.

 n no of 7 consecutive daysYouʻre a non-profit- how does that work?

Kuleana.work is a community-run non-profit.  This means that all funds go back into the project itself or into the community.  Additionally there is no paid staff on our team, everyone is a volunteer who supports the daily operations of the workspace.

What’s your address? How do I get ahold of you?

We’re at Kukui Grove Mall 2600 Kaumualii Hwy #3 Suite F4 Lihue, HI 96766. If you’re not a member you can call us at 808.515.6077 or write us an email at kuleana.work@protonmail.com

What do we give our members?

We have comfortable places to work and blazing-fast Wi-Fi for starters. A generally quiet, but also with places to go and talk. Easy access to clean restrooms. Air-conditioned, a printer, refrigerator, close to places to eat. A “phone booth” rooms for phone calls or interviews, and all-day and evening access. And more.  Membership Agreement

What can I do here?

You can work alone or with others. You can hold networking meetings. You can connect with people who could help you with your business, work, or project.

How do we benefit the local community?

We offer a low-cost natural business generator and entrepreneurial incubator. By design, we’re a ready-made tech worker hub. For your brand, company, or organization we’re a community of potential customers/coaches/funders/advocates.

What do you mean when you use the word “kuleana”?

Here’s our mission, straight from our charter: We work to bring kuleana – our sense of responsibility to foster each others’ success – into our world in a real, tangible way; in business, art, social endeavor, and creation. We connect people who want to give to those who want to learn and do. We believe our nurturing space will enrich our Kauai community.

What’s required to join?

Well, like any coworking space we have a member’s agreement and charge a fee, but really if you need a place to work and you’re down with our ideas about kuleana and helping each other, you’re good to go and we’re looking for you. We also require a walk-thru before you have regular access to the space.

How much to join? What are the particulars?

We have a whole page where we talk about our different pricing options, but in a nutshell: a week pass for seven consecutive days is $122 and regular all-access membership is $250 per month.

Do you have meeting space and conference rooms?

We do not have regular meeting rooms, though we have a Member-reservable space for phone calls or interviews.

Do I need to sign a contract?

No, we don’t do contracts. It’s all week to week or month to month.  We do have a Member Agreement.

I have a business; can I work from your coworking space?

Definitely. We designed the space with you in mind, whether you’re just dropping in every so often for a change of scenery or you’re doing most of your work from our space.

What’s your code of conduct?

Simply – be positive and friendly, don’t behave in a way that makes it harder for others to work.  Some specifics include don’t disturb others’ peace; use headphones and never let others in the space hear the other side of your conversations, talk in a quiet voice when others are working, keep the space you work in clean and tidy. If you’re coughing, sneezing, or clearly sick, please don’t bring your illness to us. Occasional client visits are fine. We’re much more a family of sorts, much less a group of anonymous Members.