ProtoHUB Honolulu

Protohub has the admirable goal of «a community center for innovators and change makers» but don’t let that scare you off, they still gave me a warm welcome. If you’re not an innovator and change maker when you walk in the door, there’s a good chance you will be thinking more along those lines after you’ve spent a few months percolating in Protohub’s goodness.
Not familiar with the concept of co-​working? If you are self-​employed then «co-​working» means you have a place to go work outside of the house, so you have to shower and put on clothes, and that place is not Starbucks.
It’s a serious workspace where people are seriously working and that energy holds your own feet to the fire and you don’t want people to see you watching cat videos and writing Unilocal reviews on your laptop, so you’re a lot more productive, and that extra productivity is well worth the money you pay to be a member. Also, at ProtoHub there’s generally one or two geniuses and some other random high-​powered hipsters wandering around so, you know, «synergy» and they might help you out with a problem or think outside your regular box.
Plus, FREE COFFEE.
Protohub is different from other co-​working spaces, because it’s not just about the co-​working. They are founded with a social consciousness ethos where you are also constantly being challenged not just to make more money but also to be more «green» and think about how your entrepreneurship can be less damaging or perhaps even make the world a better place. And if you don’t know how, they’ll teach you. For example I attended a «Sustainability Unconference» where the least important thing that happened was that I finally tried kombucha, and liked it. Recycling is OUT and Re-​Use is IN. Urban composting is definitely IN. Among other important things that were on the fringes of my awareness… but the Unconference at Protohub brought them more front and center. When I warned them I was completely unsustainable and therefore wary of participating since I had no special green knowledge to contribute, they kindly replied «you’re EXACTLY the type of person who should attend!» Then as part of the conference, it turned out I accidentally had joined a dance meditation group). I’m totally serious. This seemed completely normal to them, so I went along with it. Millennials ! All joking aside, it was day that broadened my mind and inspired me to be part of the solution, instead of part of the problem, so kudos to ProtoHub.
Protohub is moving and evolving and keeps adding services; I don’t know their new space yet; and they’ll eventually mature into an «Impact Hub».
It’s been stimulating and fun to participate during their launch year, and I wholeheartedly encourage you to check out their co-​working, or if you are presently chained to a conventional workspace during the day, then you will find that their least expensive membership will give you access to evening/​weekend programs and workshops that will give you new energy and new ideas to take back to your regular workplace as well.
What are my gripes? Well, I’m not sure I need my salad to be sexy (this is one of their recurring events). I prefer to just be friends with my salad. Also, they need more dogs in the workspace :)
GO PROTOHUB!

I kinda have mixed feelings.
I get the idea. All of the problems of starting a business are magnified with all the liability that is a huge hurdle to any new start up business.
The location is different– it is in kakaako so there are the resources of bad parking, food trucks, other start-​ups and tons of construction going on in the near-​bys all around.
Good ideas– it is space that is useful. There are desks and chairs and other meeting room areas. There is wifi and a printer. There are skype rooms. There is a cool vibe for the space. There are large and I mean large bathrooms.
People are super friendly. Welcoming atmosphere to co-​space with and really interested in what others projects are and to see if they could help other members.
Cons: there are a few.
Foremost– you have to climb three flights of stairs to get up to the level that it is on up above the old Alu Like building.
No open PCs or laptops — you have to bring your own.
It’s not free– the cost is nominal but the cost is progressive based on use but you know it up front so no surprises.
Some nights are already booked– so you would have to juggle different businesses already set up time frames– if you would only need a desk for yourself — you are good to go but if you plan to use specific time — it may be time to get a whole independent space to them-​self.
They have planned Thursday pau hana, I hope to be able visit during that.
I have seen a film at the space, and taken a tour during the day to see how quiet or loud it is during the day but meeting more people seems like a fun idea.
There are a few things that I wish it also had– and I know as soon as I say this outloud someone will think and say — «go ahead and write a winning grant to get those things there!» Yes– I know if you want something fix it– it seems that the folks at Protohub really do just that– they get the things they think they need and they do it.

This place is my new JAM!
Since moving back to Hawaii in 2012, I’ve been very big on co-​working spaces. especially since I work on several different projects at one time. Being surrounded by other folks cranking away on projects that they are passionate about really push me to keep going.
Protohub is big, clean, well staffed and all around awesome.
One of my fave things about this place is the fact that they have several different types of work spaces for every type of person in whatever vibe they are in. Whether you wanna plug in at your own desk and put your headphones on or wanna work at a big community table and meet new folks or kick your shoes off an sit on a low to the floor platform with a bunch of comfy pillows… Protohub has got your covered.
Protohub also has an amazing selection of private rooms that you can rent. Everything from a private board room to a massage therapy room!
They also feature lots of fun events weekly like: Sexy Salad Wednesdays during lunch, a wordpress class taught by WP genius John LeBlanc, Hip-​Hop classes with pro dancer Cara Horibe or Improv Classes for Business Folks taught by… me;) Come on… I had to mention it.
They run on a membership which is a really good deal if you compare it to paying rent and bills on your own office space. Members also get a special discount on rooms and certain events.
Come by and check it out! You’re sure to get inspired!

Awesome place, and just what Kakaako needs! Randomly showed up at their weekly Thursday Paul Hana and had a great time. Lots of cool people doing inspiring things, and everyone was super welcoming with lots o’ aloha. For members, there is some sweet co-​working space, meeting rooms and enough coffee or tea for any caffeine-​aholic.

Friendly staff, big and clean space, good rates, fast wi-​fi and great events and workshops. A great co-​working space.