If you could swap jobs with anyone in the world for one day, who would it be and why?

This is a tough one for me not because I’m not inspired, but because I’m inspired by so many, especially Indigenous women who carry deep kuleana and have shaped the world in quiet and powerful ways. But to “become” them, even for a day, feels like it could diminish the depth of their lived experiences and the generational responsibilities they carry. Instead, I’d rather walk alongside them—learn from their stories, uplift their voices, and honor their work in a way that doesn’t center me. That feels more aligned with the way I try to move through the world.

What inspires you or is most exciting about your job, business, and industry, and what are the biggest challenges?

What inspires me most is the opportunity to tell stories as a Native Hawaiian artist living in the place I’m from which, sadly, isn’t always the case for many of our people. It’s a privilege to live and create in the same place that shaped me.

I also have the opportunity to be part of a culture that truly understands the impact of supporting local—where one purchase or collaboration doesn’t just uplift a business but can shift the trajectory of a whole ʻohana and the community they’re part of. I have the privilege of choosing which stories to highlight—what matters most to me—which is especially meaningful as a mother raising a child who’s learning in their native language. That’s what gives this work weight.

The challenge is, we live in a world that rewards speed and convenience. Outsourcing is easy and often cheaper. And as mea Hawaiʻi becomes more visible, so does the theft of our stories, our art, our designs. People think it’s okay to take without understanding the kuleana behind what we create. That part is heavy but it’s also why I continue doing this work. Because representation rooted in ʻike, intention, and integrity matters.

What were some important turning points in your career that helped you attain your current position?

One of the most important turning points in my journey was when everything shut down in March 2020. I had just returned from what was meant to be my very first event for my stationery business—something I had poured so much time, energy, and resources into. Almost immediately after getting home, I went into quarantine. For the first time, I truly felt what isolation was like. That space—and that stillness—reminded me how important it is to have something creative to hold onto.

Out of that experience came what we eventually called Monday Lives—weekly live sessions on social media that created space for connection through art and culture. Each week, I chose a plant connected to Hawaiʻi and shared its names, uses, cultural significance, and relationship to place. Then, I taught people how to draw it using whatever tools they had at home—pencils, pens, crayons—emphasizing that it wasn’t about being perfect; it was about showing up.

What started as a way to stay grounded and creative during quarantine grew into something much deeper. Monday Lives became a rhythm for our community. An anchor in uncertain times, and a shared space to learn, reflect, and create together.

What’s your go-to song or playlist that gets you motivated for a busy day?

Our team is fractional as many of us are family members who also have full-time jobs and other commitments, so our time together is precious. One of my favorite things we do is keep an open playlist where everyone can add whatever they want. It’s less about having a go-to motivational song and more about creating a space to connect.

Every day, the energy in the shop shifts depending on who’s there, and so does the music. We might be listening to K-pop one minute, then Hawaiian music, 90s throwbacks, rock, funk, soul, jazz, classical, or even lofi beats. That playlist becomes a reflection of all of us—what we’re feeling, what we’ve been through, and what brings us joy. It’s not just a playlist but a practice that turns our workspace into something that feels more like a family.

In a workplace that demands your utmost, what do you do for self- care?

In a workplace that often asks for my all, self-care comes in small, grounding moments. I draw, journal, and spend time with my son. He has a way of bringing me back to what really matters. I take my dog for walks, let myself be present in nature, and make time to read, especially legends and stories of Hawaiʻi. Those moʻolelo remind me of who I am, where I come from, and why I do what I do. Sometimes self-care isn’t about escape—it’s about reconnecting.

What’s been the biggest sacrifice for your career?

When I committed to growing Kākou Collective, it wasn’t just me who signed up for this journey—my whole family did, even my six-year-old.

In our business, it’s truly a kākou thing. Everyone makes sacrifices to help this dream grow. From our two college wahine who come in twice a week to pack orders, to my mom and dad pressing shirts, to my husband who runs operations, my sisters who support social media, wholesale, and workshops, friends who help with events and collection planning—and yes, even my six-year-old, who helps pack orders, run errands, and joins me in content creation. Not to mention our dog, who greets every customer at the door.

People often think of sacrifice as something negative—giving something up to gain something else. But for us, it’s a love language. It’s how we show up for each other. It’s how we choose to believe in what Kākou Collective can be—for our community and as an example for future generations.