Acool meeting space, fast Wi-Fi, organic, fair-trade coffee, networking, yoga and a healthy organic salad made of local produce.
It would be hard to find all of the above in one place, but that’s exactly what ProtoHUB Honolulu aims to do.
ProtoHUB, which opened last month in Kakaako, is a 3,500-square-foot "coworking" space with an emphasis on sustainability. Part-time memberships are available for just $10 a month; full-time membership is $30 a month, until January.
Early next year, ProtoHUB Honolulu will become ImpactHUB Honolulu, which is described as "part innovation lab, part business incubator, part community center."
"The goal is to create impact by doing social and environmental good," said co-founder and director Shanah Trevenna. "The impact is making sure what our businesses do benefits people, including workers, colleagues, the community and the environment as well."
There are more than 50 ImpactHUBs around the world, including in San Francisco, New York and Amsterdam.
Community yoga is available Tuesday evenings for a suggested donation of $10. The "wine down" pau hana from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays is open to all for $5.
PROTOHUB HONOLULU
» Where: 458 Keawe St. (go up the stairs on the left side) » When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday » Info: www.protohubhonolulu.net
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At noon Wednesdays a $7 "sexy salad" made fresh from local farms is offered during lunchtime in the kitchen. We’re talking about fresh greens with avocado and local limu; green papaya with basil and shrimp; and MA‘O Farms kale with beets, walnuts and feta.
The community kitchen is stocked with organic, fair-trade coffee and tea, and reverse-osmosis-filtered water provided to members by Hawaiian Cool Water.
The facility is aiming for zero waste, so members use coffee mugs, silverware and bowls and wash them afterward in the kitchen. Plans call for a composter for food waste.
Events so far this month have included an improvisation workshop, an introduction to finance for startups, and a free live screening of TEDGlobal 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, featuring authors, global policymakers, activists and entrepreneurs speaking on creativity and innovation.
Trevenna, also CEO of Smart Sustainability Consulting Inc., describes members as a mix of innovative, cutting-edge and progressive individuals.
"We support a culture of collaboration and community," she said. "We always have one or two hosts available who get to know each member. We’re constantly curating opportunities to tap in with other clients."
A wellness room is available for rent to practitioners offering lomilomi, acupuncture or other healing arts. And, separately, there’s a napping nook, with curtains for privacy.
Nina Wu writes about environmental issues. Reach her at nwu@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter @ecotraveler.