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BY GINGER KELLER OLAWRENCE TABUDLO PHOTOS
residents call them, flip-flops — are the items that get the most use. The versatile footwear can be worn all day long and for nearly all occasions. Kiani Wong, the pres- ident and CEO of local company Kaka‘ako Kasuals, explains it best.
ut of everything found in a local person’s closet, there’s no doubt that slippers — or as non-Hawai‘i
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“Slippers are what literally connect us to the land, and they are such an integral part of our everyday life here,” says Wong. “We wear them to work, date night or to tūtū’s house for dinner. We might wear different styles depending on the occasion, but it’s a rare day that slippers aren’t a part of our lives. The ubiquitous nature of slippers makes them so successful here in Hawaiʻi.”
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The biz — which also sells accessories, T-shirts, art pieces, slipper-shaped
fly swatters and more — recently opened a kiosk in Ala Moana Cen-
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ter, and often collaborates with local artists on its designs, including Ren- der 808, Kate Wadsworth, Bethany Georges, and soon, Kaiʻili Kaulu- kukui.
“We feel that the art surround- ing us is a defining piece of who we are,” explains Wong. “It made sense to have local artists incorpo- rated into our designs because we view our slippers as a connection and reflection of our community.
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1 Custom Slipper Design by Render 808 ($27.99) 2 Queen’s Women’s Slipper ($14.99)
Model: Kiani Wong
3 ‘Opihi Keiki Slipper ($11.99)
4 Point Panic Men’s Slipper ($14.99)
5 Shay Wong works on a custom slipper.
6 Custom Slipper Design by Render 808 ($27.99) Model: Shay Wong
7 Laua’e Men’s Slipper ($14.99)
“Our Kakaʻako today is a vibrant, living place full of history and art,” Wong adds. “You can’t walk down a street in the area without coming across a stunning piece of mural art. The feeling of the area is reflect- ed in our designs.”
At the kiosk, check out its custom slip- per machine, which allows customers to choose their design, its placement on the slipper and have it assembled before their eyes.
For more information, visit kakaakoka- suals.com or check it out on Instagram (@ 7 kakaakokasuals).