AI systems consulting & implementation — based in Hawaiʻi
You have better things to do than copy and paste.
Reports that write themselves. Data that organizes itself. Processes that run without you babysitting them. We build AI tools and automation for organizations that are tired of doing things the hard way. Founded by a former Apple engineer with 5 patents. 17 years helping local businesses in Hawaiʻi.
What we do
AI-powered systems. Designed and built for how your organization actually works.
We don't just talk about AI. We build the systems — custom platforms, operational automation, data pipelines — for organizations that need production infrastructure, not demos.
AI Systems & Platform Development
Custom platforms powered by AI — from architecture through deployment.
We design and build production software systems with AI at the core. SaaS platforms, internal tools, data pipelines, and operational systems — architected for scale and built to last.
AI Operations & Automation
Removing friction from how your business actually runs.
We integrate AI into your existing workflows — automating scheduling, invoicing, customer communication, inventory, and reporting. Not off-the-shelf chatbots. Custom systems wired into the tools you already use.
Fractional CTO & Technical Leadership
Senior engineering leadership without a full-time hire.
For organizations that need a technical leader to define architecture, evaluate vendors, manage engineering teams, or guide a digital transformation — but don't need a full-time CTO. Brian Dote brings Apple, banking, and education executive experience to your leadership team on a retained basis.
Production Deployment & Rescue
Your idea works. Let's get it live.
Built something with Cursor, Bolt, Replit, or v0 that works locally but can't make it to production? We review, harden, and deploy. Also — legacy system rescue, migration, and modernization.
Selected work
Systems we've built. Problems we've solved.
Mobile Engineering — Environmental Tech
Ecobot
As founding iOS engineer, built the first iteration of Ecobot's field data collection app — enabling wetland delineators to capture, calculate, and export environmental compliance data directly from the field.
iOS / Swift / Mobile Engineering / Field Data Collection / GIS
Images courtesy of ecobot.com
AI Systems & Platforms
Mission Management Company
Built the technology platform powering MMCo's Rapid Renewal Framework — scored readiness surveys, a proprietary MMCo Score, automated 20-page audit reports, and a Desktop Review classification engine that rates church parcels by Property Potential and Community Impact. Integrates Claude API, GIS/TMK parcel data, and census-based demographic modeling.
SaaS / GIS / Claude API / Enterprise Architecture
AI/ML — Medical Device
iFirst Medical Technologies
Built an iOS app using Core ML and edge detection to determine cartridge fill percentage from live camera frames — running entirely on-device with no cloud dependency.
iOS / Core ML / Computer Vision / Edge Detection
Built by engineers, not salespeople
17 years building in Hawaiʻi. 200+ projects shipped.
Tapiki was founded by Brian Dote — a former Apple iCloud/iTunes UI Engineering Manager whose contributions led to 5 patents, former SVP at Bank of Hawaii, and former Chief Innovation Officer at Mid-Pacific Institute. He's been building software systems in Hawaiʻi since 2009.
Today, Tapiki is focused on AI systems that solve real operational problems — custom platforms, SaaS products, operational automation, and enterprise architecture at engagement levels that reflect the complexity and value of the work.
200+
projects delivered
50+
mobile apps
17
years in business
5
US Patents (Apple)
- ✓ We're quick to respond
- ✓ Based in Hawaiʻi — Waipahu born and raised
- ✓ Honest assessment — if we're not the right fit, we'll tell you
- ✓ You own your code, always
Testimonials
What our clients and collaborators say.
"Brian is the classical coder turned manager, and that's the best kind of engineering manager you will find. Far too often we have these slick talking MBAs who can't get anything done because they don't have the respect of their engineers. Brian was one of the best client-side lead engineers I knew, before he moved into management where he built the best UI engineering team in the history of .Mac. Together with my team on the server side, we delivered one of the best web based email service back in Oct. 2005 and won many rave reviews. It was one of the high points of my career and I would work with Brian again on any project in a heartbeat."
Helen Ma, Senior Engineering Manager
Crunchyroll • Apple Inc.
"Since 2013, we've partnered with Brian Dote and Tapiki, who truly understand our mission. For the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi event, Tapiki has expertly managed our website year-round and adapted during the pandemic by creating an app with a beloved "float a virtual lantern" feature, keeping our community connected. Brian is amazing to work with, incredibly responsive, knowledgeable, and always available to provide technical guidance and advice. We are lucky to work with him and hope to continue our relationship with Tapiki for many years to come."
Charlene Flanter, Co-Executive Director
Nā Lei Aloha Foundation, Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii
"Working with Tapiki for our Hawaii Food Industry Association and Made in Hawaii Festival websites hosting and maintenance has been an absolute game-changer. The ease with which we could get changes done to our site was remarkable. Tapiki made it incredibly simple to do site updates, ensuring our website always ran smoothly. They took care of all the plugin updates and security patches, which gave us peace of mind knowing our site was always secure. Whenever we needed assistance with web-related issues, their team was prompt, professional, and extremely helpful. Tapiki's services have truly made managing our website effortless. We couldn't be happier with the results!"
Lauren Zirbel, President
Hawaii Food Industry Association
"As a strategy consultant working on cutting-edge NFT projects for clients, I rely on the technical expertise of developers familiar with blockchain technology to determine the feasibility of the idea. Working with Tapiki for the Vanishing Murals dynamic NFT project which required the NFT artworks to change based on the Hawaii ocean water temperatures, Brian's knowledge of blockchain architecture gave me the confidence to continue pursuing the concept and successfully launch the collection for the client!"
Ellen Ng, Founder
INOA
Trusted by over 100 organizations
Clients and partners weʻve had the privilege of working with.
Academy for Healthcare Innovation
Alexander & Baldwin
Aloha Tofu
Aqua-Aston Hospitality
Atlantis Adventures
Avalon Group
Central Pacific Bank
Charles Schwab
Conscious Business Leadership, LLC
Crow's Nest Half Moon Bay
Curriculum Research Development Group
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Dipped by Dee
Ecobot
Education Incubator
Estate Planning Partners
Estria Foundation
EV Ohana
Friends of Kid's First
Formation Church
Fur-Angel Foundation
Group 70 (G70)
Goddamn Man Co
Grand Wailea Maui
Great Aloha Run
Halekulani
Hapalua
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health
Hawaiʻi Baptist Foundation
Hawaiʻi Food Bank
Hawaiʻi Online Portal for Education
Hawaiʻi Stars
Hawaiʻi United Okinawa Association
Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association
Hawaiʻi Institute for Public Affairs
Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company
Hawaiian Telcom
Hello Again
HiFusion Ed
iFirst Medical Technologies
Inkinen & Associates LLC
Island Colony
Island Insurance
iQ360
Kamehameha Schools
King Lunalilo Trust
Komohale Services
Kualono Upcountry Living
LA Metro
Lānaʻi Air
Lanakila Pacific
Leonard's Bakery
Live Aloha
Made in Hawaiʻi Festival
Mental Health America of Hawaii
Mid-Pacific Institute
Minority Business Development Agency
Mission Management Company
Na Koa Foundation
Na Lei Aloha
Nabeya Maido
Nakeʻu Awai
Nimbus Unlimited
Ocean Safety Ohana
Oceanit
Oregon Manufacturing Extension (OMEP)
Parc Waikiki
Parents And Children Together
Partners in Development Foundation
Pacific Coffee Research
ProService Hawaii
Rainbow Drive-In
Resource Suites
Reveal Mobile Hair & Makeup
Ruth Health
Scientific Business Solutions
Shakalele
Shimazu Shave Ice
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii
Slice by HB Baking
Slingbox
SocioFabrica
Stanford Carr Development
State of Hawaii
Sugar Museum Maui
Swell by CPB
Tai Shan Farms
TastyBite
TATCHA
TechRiver LLC
The Cutlery
The Gift Foundation
The HOME Project
Think Training
Think Thin
Tinker & Do
Tyler Technologies
United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii
Wailuku Town
Waipahu High School Academy of IET
WePrescribe
What School Could Be
Young Scale Co., LLC
Let's talk about what you're building.
Every engagement starts with a conversation. No pitch decks, no pressure — just an honest discussion about what your organization needs and whether we're the right fit.
Start a conversation