Page 22 - MidWeek - April 20, 2022

22 MIDWEEK APRIL 20, 2022
As one of West O‘ahu’s largest gath- ering places, Ka Makana Ali‘i takes pride in the fact that more than half of its tenants are small, local businesses, with a portion of them being Native Hawaiian owned. While the center boasts everything from restaurants and movie theaters to retail stores and a hotel, many mom-and-pop shops sit among the hustle and bustle of the boom-
STORY BY GINGER KELLER // PHOTOS BY LAWRENCE TABUDLO
Hawaiian-owned businesses have chosen to make Ka Makana Ali‘i their home,” says general manager Stephanie England. “Cur- rently, more than 50% of our businesses are locally owned and operated, which truly al- lows us to continue to serve and meet the needs of our community in various ways. We are always looking for unique and exciting opportunities that allow us to further expand our Ka Makana Ali‘i ‘ohana.”
ing Kapolei community.
Take Get Nutz Wear, for
No‘eau Designers, meanwhile, is a mar- ketplace based on Hawaiian values. Own- er Vaalele Malaki founded the company in 2017 and, today, it serves as a hub for more than 100 Native Hawaiian brands and made- in-Hawai‘i products.
example. Owners La Tisha and Keola Smeigh opened the storefront in the early days of the pan- demic. It was known as “da ‘ohana brand” since 2001 and has metamor- phosed into a well-known
At the store, find clothing, jewelry, ac- cessories, bath and body products, books, ‘ukulele and even poi pounders. It also of- fers Hawaiian cultural workshops and more (check out noeaudesigners.com).
For more information, visit kamakanaalii. com.
company throughout the islands. Get Nutz Wear sells Hawai‘i-style flasks, coolers, T-shirts, hats, sunglasses and more.
Then, there’s Hawai‘i’s Finest, which was born out of Paulele Alcon’s hobby that turned into a company. Inspired by Hawaiian cul- ture, history, people, issues and triumphs, the biz, which was established in 2009 on Molo- ka‘i, offers men’s, women’s and keiki appar- el, on top of a media and music business.
“We feel blessed that so many Native
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Sleeve ($65), Strongarm Hawaiians Hae Hawai‘i Surf Shorts ($40) and Strongarm Hawaiians Hae Hawai‘i Straw Hat ($45) Model: Kainalu Hecomovich
2 No‘eau Designers: Kaiona Swimwear Ko‘olau Reversible Snake Twist Top and Bottom ($65 each) with an Aloha de Mele x Tag Aloha “Lei-ers” Pareo ($42) and Ombré Amber Pāpale Piko ‘Ole ($45) Model: Brook Hawkins
3 Get Nutz Wear T-shirt ($25.99)
4 Get Nutz Wear T-shirt ($25.99)
5 No‘eau Designers: Kiele Kirra Black Palaka Dress ($138) with Koa Bracelet ($34) and Rattan Tote ($76)
David Shepard Hāwane Sunshine Aloha Shirt ($120) with a Lei Kukui ($150)
6 No‘eau Designers: Pāpale Lauhala Piko ‘Ole ($325)
7 Hawai‘i’s Finest: Lauae Collection, available in different colors ($20-$50) PHOTO COURTESY HAWAI‘I’S FINEST Individual models provided by ADR Agency
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