Salon Now Open In Mehana Home Unit
Dozens gathered on the ground floor of a home-business unit at the Mehana neighborhood in Kapolei around noon July 27, chatting while they enjoyed a buffet lunch and listened to music. The unit is home to the new Mehana Salon, and the celebration was in honor of its grand opening.
“It’s a dream come true,” said owner Yong Dufour of opening her own salon. Yong also serves as one of the salon’s stylists, while her daughter Michelle acts as its manager.
wo-080614-mehanasalon-cover1
The team of stylists at Mehana Salon stand at the main entrance of their Kapolei business. They are (from left) Mandy Cachuela, Marcy Nicolas, manager Michelle Dufour, owner Yong Dufour, Shasteen Staudinger, Winnie Tsang, Sherry Saribay and Rose Barayuga. Photo by Lawrence Tabudlo, ltabudlo@midweek.com.
Yong, who grew up working with hair through her family’s business in Korea, brings years of experience as a stylist. During the past 15 years, she’s become well-known on the Kapolei salon scene, working at places that include Regis Salon and Bobbi & Guy. Joining her are seven other stylists.
Mehana Salon provides full hair services and facial waxing. Its hair services include cuts, coloring and extensions for men, women and children. A wall full of hair products displays brands such as Paul Mitchell, Neuma and American Crew.
The salon opened its doors in April, and so far, they report that business has been steady. It’s a small, intimate space, with four stations in the main room and two more chairs in a side room.
Many of its clients have been seeing the stylists at Mehana for years and decided to follow them to the new location. Other than returning clients, people who live in and around the neighborhood also have been frequenting the salon.
“That’s where we wanted to really focus on — this neighborhood,” declared Michelle.
Michelle and Yong live in Waipio, but many of Yong’s clients resided in Kapolei, so they wanted to stick in this area. They initially had trouble finding a space they liked, however, until Yong was visiting a friend in the Mehana neighborhood. When she found out that homes were mixed-use units designed to house businesses as well as homes, she knew she found the perfect spot for her salon.
“We felt like it was meant to be,” Michelle said.
Plus, the way Yong sees it, Mehana Salon’s presence here is in line with the development’s aim to foster walkability and provide live-work opportunities.
“For local people, everything is going to be right here in this local area,” Yong said.
Michelle and Yong both said that part of what sets Mehana apart from other salons is the family-friendly environment that they try to cultivate.
As Michelle said: “We want (customers) to feel comfortable and feel at home while they’re at our salon.”
Mehana Salon is located at 540 Manawai St., suite 208 in Kapolei. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
For more information on Mehana Salon or to schedule an appointment, call 200-4203.
