KoaMalu began not as a business idea, but as a quiet moment of reflection, the intersecting of opportunities and oppotunities of impact meeting at the same time. 

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My love for doodling and art has always been my way to decompress — a peaceful space where I could breathe, reflect on the day, and find calm amid all of life’s kuleana. Over time, my sketches became more than drawings; they became stories of stillness, gratitude, and connection.

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I’ve always loved nature — long walks beneath the canopy of trees, the songs of birds in the distance, the fragrance of the ʻāina after rain. Those moments deepened my appreciation for Hawaiʻi’s native plants and wildlife. Along my journey, I met incredible friends who opened my eyes to a heartbreaking truth: many of our native species are disappearing. Birds like the ʻAlalā, ʻAkikiki, ʻAkekeʻe, ʻIʻiwi, ʻAlae ʻula, and ʻAkohekohe, and plants such as ʻŌhiʻa, Koa, and Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo are now endangered and in need of protection.

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This realization changed everything.
I began painting native plants and birds — first to honor them, then to help protect them. Through each piece, I discovered a deeper purpose: to raise awareness, support conservation, and replant native species such as koa, ʻōhiʻa and Iliahi to help restore our forests and ecosystems. Every brushstroke became a small act of aloha — for our ʻāina and for our future.

As the years went by, I realized I had collected hundreds of patterns — drawings filled with meaning, life, and story. I began sharing them with others who wanted to use them for their own fabrics and products, but something inside me said it was time to create something closer to home.

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So I designed the first Aloha shirts for my husband and sons under the name KoaMalu — a simple act of love that blossomed into something greater.
Koa comes from my youngest son, Makoa, and Malu comes from my eldest son, Kamalu, and my husband’s middle name, Maluhia. Together, the name KoaMalu Collective was born — a family rooted in aloha and purpose.

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Because sustainability is at the heart of what we do, we partnered with a manufacturer who shares our values — one that creates fabrics from recycled polyester, helping us reduce waste while crafting quality pieces designed to last.

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When we released our first drop of men’s Aloha shirts during the Merrie Monarch Festival, I was humbled by the outpouring of aloha — and by the many requests for a women’s line.

And now, I’m proud to share that your voices have been heard.

This December, KoaMalu will be launching our first women’s line — designed with the same spirit of aloha, storytelling, and sustainability that has guided us from the very beginning.

We can’t wait to share what’s next in our journey — from art to aloha wear, from imagination to impact.

Mahalo for walking this path with us. Together, we continue to mālama ʻāina, honor our heritage, and wear our stories with pride.