Small, Hawaiian-made shop plans big presence

The five retailers propose authentic cultural practices

THE newest tenant to sign on at Outrigger's $460 million Waikiki Beach Walk development will offer visitors a window to Hawaiian culture.

Mana Hawaii -- a joint venture composed of five local businesses -- will occupy 1,600 square feet on the second floor near Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and the Embassy Suites. Outrigger has scheduled a soft opening for Beach Walk in December, with a grand opening planned for early next year.

While the space is small, it represents a big step for the five companies, which will share the new store to provide authentic, made-in-Hawaii goods to visitors.

The company behind Mana Hawaii, Kauhale LLC, is an equal partnership made up of well-established local businesses Native Books, Na Mea Hawaii, the Hula Supply Center, Ukulele House and the Lomi Shop.

"Mana Hawaii is much more than a store," said Maile Meyer, managing partner of Native Books and Na Mea Hawaii. "We offer access to the Hawaiian community for visitors who want to meet people and experience things that embody the true essence of Hawaii. We want visitors to be able to celebrate Hawaii on a deeper level and feel a connection to our home."

Costs of building the new store -- about $300,000 -- will be shared by Outrigger Enterprises, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Kauhale.

Without the financial help and the joining of forces, the small businesses themselves would not have been able to compete with other tenants for high-rent spots on the Beach Walk.

Some of the businesses, like the Lomi Shop and Ukulele House, have operated stores in Waikiki for some time, while others like the 60-year-old Hula Supply Center are making their first entry into the tourist strip.

Native Books has stores at Ward Warehouse and Hilton Hawaiian Village. Last year, it closed its Fort Street Mall location.

Combined, the five businesses have more than 130 years of experience.

Mana Hawaii is expected to become not only a new retail outlet for the five businesses, but a business model incorporating native Hawaiian values.

The five partners have a common goal of bringing authentic culture to Waikiki, a system of sharing roles and responsibilities on a horizontal plane -- not hierarchically -- and trust forged by years of friendship.

They believe there is a market for what they sell -- that both locals and visitors seek items reflecting the true Hawaiian culture.

The full name of the business is "Mana Hawaii ... The Spirit of Hawaii Nei."

The store will feature goods made by local artisans, from handmade ukuleles to etched gourds, kukui nut leis, soaps, jewelry, art and apparel. Meyer says sales of locally made goods have a multiplier effect on the economy here from the artisan to the retail salesperson.

"It's wonderful to share Hawaii's treasures," said Sylvia Kop, who owns the Hula Supply Center with her husband, Michael. "Hawaii's treasures are the people."

The Kops previously had resisted offers to open shop at some of Oahu's largest malls, Kop said, to remain true to their focus on hands-on manufacturing and working with local artists. But Mana Hawaii provided the right opportunity with the right approach, she said.

Besides providing made-in-Hawaii products, Mana Hawaii is expected to offer a regular cultural program for visitors -- including ukulele lessons, hula lessons, Hawaiian language and lomilomi massage.

The intent is to offer visitors an interactive way to experience the culture and history of Hawaii, by learning and doing, according to Outrigger's vice president of retail development and leasing, Barbara Campbell.

"It is in many ways the centerpiece of our retail complex, because it plays such an important role in giving visitors an authentic Hawaiian experience that can only be found here," she said.

About 90 percent of the leases for Beach Walk already have been signed, according to Campbell.

Mana Hawaii will join several restaurants, including Roy's Waikiki, Holokai Grill (an offshoot of Tiki's Grill & Bar), Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Yard House and Kai Wa.

A growing list of retail tenants also includes Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Island Pearls, Malibu Shirts, Maui Divers Jewelry, Na Hoku and Whaler's General Store.

Campbell said five to six more tenants should be announced soon.

The Beach Walk redevelopment encompasses an 8-acre area bordered by Kalakaua Avenue, Lewers Street, Kalia Road, Beach Walk and Saratoga Road.

Outrigger and Dick Gushman, who are partners in the development of a new 90,000-square-foot entertainment and retail complex, envision an open- air promenade with 40 retail shops, six anchor restaurants and an entertainment plaza.

The entire Beach Walk project also will be home to the Trump International Hotel & Tower, a time share by Fairfield Resorts and an Embassy Suites Hotel.

MADE IN HAWAII Who: The five business partners of Mana Hawaii are Native Books (Maile Meyer, Ivan Lui-Kwan), Na Mea Hawaii (Maile Meyer, Ivan Lui-Kwan), the Hula Supply Center (Michael and Sylvia Kop), the Ukulele House (Daniel Fujikake) and the Lomi Shop (Kauhane Lee, Maile Tolentino-Lee), with Ke Kai Kealoha as project coordinator. What: Mana Hawaii will sell books, artwork, woodwork, hula implements, handmade ukuleles, apparel and made-in-Hawaii goods. The store also will offer hula, lomilomi massage, Hawaiian-language classes and talk-story sessions. Where: Outrigger's $460 million Waikiki Beach Walk redevelopment. Why: To offer visitors a window to Hawaiian-made goods, local artisans and culture.