Made in Hawaii a novel idea for Waikiki

Nadine Kam photos
From left, Aloha 'Aina owners Seyon Chan, Kristy Carrina Curnow and Gina Fukeda.


For a long time, "buy Hawaii" was something nice to say, but like "buy American," was a philosophy few stylish people turned into action.

This may be the year Hawaii becomes cool again. With TV series "Hawaii Five-0" and "Off the Map" filming here, films made last year-including the George Clooney vehicle "The Descendants" set to premiere this year, certainly all eyes will be cast our way, and Hawaii designers are ready.

Where made-in-Hawaii has long been cast as a collection of loud, brassy kitsch and craft-yness, in the last couple years, without really trying, young artists have made it cool simply by doing their own thing, without regard to trend or mainstream retail climate.

Last fall, Island Edge opened at Ala Moana Center with the aim of promoting not only established brands, but indie designers. They succeeded in almost filling the store with homegrown product.

On Jan. 14, Aloha Aina boutique opened at Royal Hawaiian Center with the same philosophy of promoting local, filling its racks, shelves and showcases with clothing, accessories and jewelry by several local companies. Among them: Marylea Conrad, Sierra Dew, Indah, machinemachine, Meleana, Mi Cielo, Noelani Designs, Roberta Oaks, Wings Hawaii, and many more.

Hopefully, visitors will be able to distinguish and take home more of what is made in Hawaii, than what is made in China, Taiwan or the Philippines.

Look for the boutique on the second floor of Building C, across from Guess.

The women of Maui's Wings Hawaii are alumni of the University of Hawaii's APDM program. From left, Samantha Howard shows a handmade leather clutch, Becky Dosh with their house fashion magazine "Inspire," and Melody Torres with one of their screen-printed briefs.

Anuhea performed.

Clutches in eye-popping color!

Jewelry trays and other decorative home items are the latest offerings from the ever versatile Marylea Conrad. Below, she's on the far right with, from left, Wayne Kato, Yaling, Shannon Hiramoto of machinemachine and Cheyne Gallarde of Firebird Photography.

Mi Cielo's Kayo Master was there with her son Tristan in the Mr. T shirt she created for him. Her husband wears her Chewbacca shirt, and Kayo was wearing her adult version of her Princess Leia tee, also shown below in its original kiddie size. She was forced to create the adult shirts because she received so many requests when they saw her children's designs.

Keith and Julie Aragaki.

Among the guests were Bruce and Yaling Fisher.