Indigenous Knowledge represents a corpus of sciences and technologies that have been highly optimized over millennia to allow a community of people to live indefinitely and regeneratively within the carrying capacity of its landscapes. Indigenous communities, as holders of these ancestral sciences and technologies, represent an ecosystem of Innovation that hold practices and epistemologies that are vital not only to their survival, but to the global effort that humanity is undertaking to recalibrate its relationship with the finite-biosystem that is our planet. In Hawaii, these ancestral sciences and technologies are still alive, well, and are advancing in our home communities. This presentation will showcase how the University of Hawaii (the state’s sole R1 university) developed the Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation (OIKI)- embedded with in its system’s level Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation- to act as systems intrapreneurs and build out a suite of practices and Centers able to interface with these regional ecosystems of innovation. OIKI founding director Kamuela Enos will provide an overview of the center’s trajectory, highlight the key funding and co-design opportunities it has unlocked allowing for robust community/university collaborations, share some of the lessons it has learned, and advocate for the opportunities that exist for other R1 universities to replicate this model.
Kamuela Enos is the director of the Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation for the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation for University of Hawai’i System.
Born and raised in Wai’anae, Kamuela comes from a family of cultural practitioners and farmers committed to using ancestral frameworks as the basis for contemporary restorative socio-ecological work. Kamuela has an undergraduate degree in Hawaiian Studies and a M.A in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.
Kamuela previously served as Director of Social Enterprise at MA‘O Farms and was also a Commissioner on President Obama’s White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
In this inspiring and practical keynote, Dr. Limitless introduces the CPS Framework—Curiosity, Positivity, and Skill Development—a transformational approach to unlocking human potential and creating a Limitless Experience. Through compelling storytelling, evidence based leadership principles, and real world experiences, audiences will discover how curiosity expands possibilities, positivity fuels resilience, and continuous skill development transforms potential into purpose.
Drawing from his extraordinary journey through adversity, military service, athletics, academia, entrepreneurship, and national television, Dr. Limitless demonstrates how embracing the CPS Framework empowers individuals to overcome limitations, lead with confidence, and create meaningful impact in every area of life. Attendees will leave inspired and equipped with actionable strategies to lead beyond perceived limits, strengthen their mindset, and become better than their best.
Dr. Limitless gained national recognition after appearing as Dr. Limitless on FOX's hit television show 99 to Beat. A dynamic keynote speaker, leadership expert, OCB professional natural bodybuilder, professional actor, former professional arena football player, and accomplished scholar, he has dedicated his life to helping others transform adversity into opportunity.
After earning tenure and serving as an Associate Professor and Director of University Honors at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Limitless chose to leave academia to pursue his global mission full time as the founder of DrLimitless, LLC. Today, he equips leaders, organizations, and teams to harness conflict as a superpower while developing resilient, purpose driven cultures.
His influence spans the globe, having collaborated with leaders in Spain, South Korea, Bulgaria, China, France, Colombia, and Fortune 100 companies. He is the award winning author of Check Your Life: Be Limitless (Best Indie Book Award, 2020), From Thug to Scholar, and From Flabs to Abs. His work includes more than 21 scholarly publications and over 70 presentations on leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation.
Dr. Limitless' greatest credential is his life story. From selling drugs at age 13 and living on the streets by 17 to earning six college degrees, including two doctorates, serving honorably in the United States Air Force, becoming a tenured professor, earning an OCB professional bodybuilding card, and appearing on national television, he embodies resilience, growth, and possibility.
Through his signature Be Limitless™ philosophy and Limitless Existence™ framework, Dr. Limitless inspires audiences to challenge limiting beliefs, embrace adversity, and align their mind, body, and spirit to become better than their best.
Dr. Limitless does not simply deliver speeches. He delivers transformational experiences that inspire people to live and lead without limits.