Diversity initiatives—also known as diversity and inclusion initiatives or D&I—are policies and procedures implemented by a business or other organization that are designed to improve workplace and career experiences and outcomes for women and racial and ethnic minorities. Organizations usually begin a diversity initiative with a statement by top management that the initiative is a priority for the organization, and sometimes hire a Director of Diversity & Inclusion or Chief Equality Officer to implement the organization’s goals related to hiring and retention of diverse employees.

In Hawaii, diversity initiatives are supported by both state statutes and federal law, which aim to promote equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination in the workplace. Hawaii's laws are particularly robust in protecting against discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, color, ancestry, disability, marital status, and arrest and court record (Hawaii Revised Statutes §378-2). Employers are encouraged to create policies and practices that foster diversity and inclusion, which can include hiring a Director of Diversity & Inclusion or Chief Equality Officer to oversee these efforts. Additionally, federal laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) provide a framework that supports diversity initiatives by prohibiting employment discrimination nationwide. While these laws do not mandate specific diversity initiatives, they create an environment where such initiatives can thrive and help organizations to meet legal compliance as well as to improve workplace culture and outcomes for underrepresented groups.