Jason Walter is an experienced, enthusiastic and creative leader with a background in arts administration, marketing and communications, non-profit operations, project management and politics. A native of Honolulu by way of Hilo, Jason takes the values of aloha and service into every endeavor. As a child, Jason aspired to be Indiana Jones, a Pirate, or Pro Wrestler. While those changed, Jason had a fourth dream which always stayed the same - to help people and make the world a better place. As Jason continued on his journey, he realized his dreams were guiding him to have an adventure in service. Jason has carried this spirt into his work as an arts administrator and as an entrepreneur who started his own independent arts venture. Over the past eight years,Jason has served as the Marketing Director for Hawai'i Opera Theatre (HOT), one of the largest performing arts and arts education organizations, which is also the only professional theatre company in the islands. In addition to his administrative duties as Marketing Director, Jason has worked with departments across the company to create new programs and initiatives to steward the arts to more people. In direct response to COVID-19, Jason led the emergency communications efforts of the company and project managed the creation HOT Digital, the company’s sub-branded initiative to move its patron experience from live events to digital experiences. Jason also played a key role in creating the Hapa Opera Project and is the co-creator of Opera Kanikapila, a brand new treatment of the art form that debuted this year. On a more personal note, in 2018, Jason founded soul what, an indie arts company exploring ‘soul speak from a to z’ through capsules of thought provoking arts projects and experiences. A poet and artist himself, he believes in the power of the arts to transform communities and is looking to expand the impact of his work in the field and serve a larger population.