People Are Sharing Their Favorite Pacific-Islander-Owned Businesses That You Should Absolutely Shop At

From apparel to accessories to skincare to stationery, these Pacific Islander-owned businesses might turn into your go-tos.

Earlier this month, I asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell me their favorite Pacific Islander-Owned businesses to shop at, and they responded with some amazing brands:

Thank you to everyone who submitted! 

1. Kakou Collective

Kakou Collective

Kakou Collective creates original artwork and quality stationery products that celebrate local culture while prioritizing ethical and sustainable practices in manufacturing and supporting local production whenever possible. Through the fusion of aloha ʻāina and contemporary art, they enrich lives, foster connections among like-minded creators, give back to contributing organizations and communities, and empower individuals to pursue their dreams and creative missions.

Check out all of their products at Kakou Collective.

2. Maui Nui Venison

Maui Nui Venison

Maui Nui Venison is a Native Hawaiian-owned brand that specializes in wild-harvested, USDA-approved Hawaiian Axis deer. Founder Ku'ulani (Kuu) Muise and her husband Jake Muise have developed a management solution that involves the sustainable removal of invasive Axis deer on Maui, transforming this effort into a nutrient-rich and delectable food source.

Through their 'Ohana Box Subscription program, subscribers receive a thoughtfully curated selection of venison products, including premium cuts, versatile family favorites, and optional additions such as leg medallions and ground venison, delivering a delightful culinary experience to both local islanders and mainland customers.

Check out all of their products on Maui Nui Venison.

3. Pacific Soul

Pacific Soul

Pacific Soul is a Polynesian-owned, Texas-based apparel and accessories brand with a mission to provide an affordable piece of paradise and South Pacific culture through high-quality, hand-selected fashion items that bring color, style, and a sense of fun into your lives. With deep pride in their Pasifika culture, the brand carefully selects each item and design to embody the exceptional quality and profound pride of their community, ensuring that every piece resonates with the essence of their culture. 

Check out all of their products on Pacific Soul.

4. Ao Organics Hawai‘i

Ao Organics

Ao Organics Hawai‘i creates affordable skincare and sun care products formulated with ethically-sourced ingredients to effectively address skin concerns and promote a vibrant complexion. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Ao Organics Hawai‘i offers eco-conscious packaging with reusable and recyclable glass bottles and tins, alongside their synthetic chemical and artificial fragrance-free formulations designed to be safe for both skin and the environment. Their meticulous handcrafting and packaging at their Honoka‘a, Hawai‘i studio ensures top quality, and they source ingredients from local farmers whenever possible.

Check out all of their products at Ao Organics Hawai'i.

5. Kahua ʻĀina

Kahua ʻĀina

Kahua ʻĀina creates fun pillows, nursery decor items, and baby care essentials with deep care for the ʻāina, understanding that to care for it, one must fully know it, which includes its physical, spiritual, emotional, and psychological aspects, and seeks to engage and immerse individuals in both the positive and negative aspects of the land, in order to reconnect people to their places and foster a reciprocal relationship of care. As a company, Kahua ʻĀina is committed to establishing a secure foundation that embraces all facets of ʻāina, and their purpose is to foster reconnection with our surroundings and nurture them as they have nurtured us.

Check out all of their products at Kahua ʻĀina.

6. Kaulumaika

Kaulumaika

Kaulumaika aims to transform the world's perception of Hawaiian culture through the production of home and baby products. The brand's journey commenced with the creation of the "Ka Mama Opihi" print, which later transformed into the captivating "Kuu Opihi" print, igniting their quest to infuse their products with the Hawaiian language, native flora, and fauna. 

Check out all of their products on Kaulumaika.

7. Punky Aloha Studio

Punky Aloha Studio

Punky Aloha Studio is a thriving Oahu-based illustration studio led by Shar Tuiasoa. With a diverse portfolio including murals, freelance work, product sales, fine art, and licensing, Shar's talent has garnered recognition from esteemed clients such as Apple, Facebook, Disney, and the New York Times. In addition to her commercial ventures, Shar also offers art prints and products through her online shop!

"Punky Aloha is the brainchild of Shar Tuiasoa. I moved to Hawaii in 2016, and I think I started seeing her work sometime in 2018. I immediately loved her art style. She’s done tons of art locally for murals on the islands and collabs with small and big businesses. I was so bummed I couldn’t get down to Walt Disney World a few months ago where she was featured at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts." —Sara Beth

Check out all of their products on Punky Aloha Studio.

8. Atikapu

Atipaku, Atikapu

Atikapu is the ultimate destination for finding handmade Polynesian-style apparel for men, women, kids, and even pets! For thoughtful gifts, the shop offers customized jackets, hoodies, collar shirts, basketball jerseys, and baseball jerseys.

Check out all of their products at Atikapu.

9. Tanoa

Tanoa

Tanoa is a clothing company that has a mission to bring the rich culture and heritage found in the Pacific Islands to life. "We draw upon the wonder of our Pacific islands, the design of the tatau and elei, our love for God, and the strength of our heritage to create our brand."

The brand has various collections, including the Tanoa Camo Active line to help you keep cool while staying active as well as Leimele, Lole, Pua Malu/Tua'a, and more.

Check out their products at Tanoa.

10. Sew Tweet Hawaii

Sew Tweet Hawaii / Etsy

Sew Tweet Hawaii is a Hawaii-based shop that creates the cutest masks based on your favorite fandoms. Founder Isabella discovered their passion for sewing at the age of 9, developing a love for working with color, fabrics, and diverse designs through lessons shared with their mother under the guidance of a patient and inspiring teacher at a local fabric store, leading them to open their Etsy shop to showcase their delightful creations, constantly exploring fabric stores in search of charming, one-of-a-kind, and adorable fabrics.

Check out all of their products at Sew Tweet Hawaii on Etsy.

11. Kumana Activewear

Kumana Activewear

Kumana Activewear is a Native Hawaiian-owned business that designs activewear from fishing nets and recycled plastics, utilizing environmentally-friendly processes to give these materials a new purpose. With a strong emphasis on strength and wellbeing, the brand recognizes the environmental impact of the fashion industry and takes pride in producing recycled clothing at a garment manufacturing facility. The entire production process incorporates sustainable practices, including eco-friendly fabric manufacturing, donation of leftover fabric scraps to charity groups, and the use of renewable resources for compostable packaging, creating a closed loop of sustainability.

Check out all of their products at Kumana Activewear.

12. Feniu

Feniu

Feniu is a Tongan-owned skincare brand that is bringing coconut-infused oils to be used as a gentle moisturizer for the face, body, and hair to you. Inspired by the remarkable benefits of these naturally-derived ingredients, founder Mele Feniu Olivetti created organic skincare products to share with the world, staying true to Tongan traditions. Feniu operates based on the cultural values of sharing blessings and considering customers as family, promising open and honest communication and delivering on their commitments.

Check out all of their products at Feniu.

13. Mahina Made

Mahina Made

Mahina Made is a Native Hawai'ian and woman-owned business that creates clothing, home decor, and accessories to honor Hawaiian roots, preserve ancestry, and give back to local communities. The brand is committed to perpetuating and normalizing Native Hawaiian culture by infusing fashionable, modern, and practical elements into their products and encouraging conscious choices that incorporate Native Hawaiian heritage into daily life.

Check out all of their products at Mahina Made.

14. Waiwaolani

Waiwaolani

Waiwaolani is a clothing and accessories brand that combines a love for Hawaiʻi as a place and culture with the creation of simple and comfortable everyday wear designed for Hawaiʻi wāhine. The brand aims to bring awareness and contribute to the survival and conservation of native ecosystems, reflecting the founder's upbringing on Maui and Molokaʻi and their understanding of the vital resources that sustain native Hawaiians.

Check out all of their products at Waiwaolani.

15. KUMUMEA

KUMUMEA

KUMUMEA creates accessories designed to "nurture, support, and enhance the lehua, symbolizing continuous growth and resilience." Founder Lai Sha curated five distinct lines — Hiapo, Kaona, Ho'ola, Ulana, and Na'iau — each capturing the triumphant journey of a mother battling cancer and drawing inspiration from the living elements present in her children's birth names. She expresses her creativity through her designs and inspires others to embrace strength and beauty while overcoming their own personal struggles.

Check out all of their products on KUMUMEA.

16. Breaking Bvnk

Breaking Bvnk

Breaking Bvnk creates apparel, pins, rugs, peeker decals, stickers, patches, and keychains that aim to help the kids at heart represent their favorite fandoms. They've got something for each fandom including some fun food-infused Pokémon lines, Gundam-inspired Hawaii jerseys, sports team keychains, and so much more!

Check out all of their products on Breaking Bvnk.

17. SMOOVE

SMOOVE

SMOOVE blends vintage aesthetics with elegant modern construction to create a unique range of streetwear apparel, including their We the Roses collection which features minimalistic hoodies reflecting the bold color of roses. The brand believes in combining timeless design elements with streetwear culture to create clothing that promotes self-expression and confidence. Their goal is to create meaningful connections and collaborations with the community, cities, brands, and artists by highlighting luxury elements and culture. Unlike traditional fashion calendars, SMOOVE treats each collection like a mixtape.

Check out all of their products on SMOOVE.

18. Te Hotu Mana

Te Hotu Mana

Te Hotu Mana, meaning "the abundant spirit," is a shop located in Hawaii that designs handcrafted Tahitian black pearl jewelry. Operating from Tahiti, they personally handpick and choose each pearl, creating authentic and creative jewelry for customers to enjoy wearing and displaying.

Check out all of their products at Te Hotu Mana on Etsy.

Shoutout to Geoffrey Siu for recommending most of these amazing brands!

Geoffrey Siu is an artist who loves lettering, creating comics, and doing abstract paintings. In addition to apparel, their shop also has various items including sticker books, enamel pins, patches, vinyl stickers, washi tape, and more! Check out their shop here! 

They recommended Ao Organics Hawai'i, Kakou Collective, Kahua aina, Kaulumaika, Kumana Active, Mahina Made, Punky Aloha, and Waiwaolani. These businesses are owned by indigenous individuals, who infuse their culture into every aspect of their products, maintain a consistent commitment to giving back to their community, and prioritize eco-friendly initiatives.

Check out more API-centered content by exploring how BuzzFeed is celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Of course, the content doesn't end after May. Follow BuzzFeed’s A*Pop on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to keep up with our latest API content year-round.

BuzzFeed / Kathy Hoang, Brooke Greeneberg

What are your favorite Pacific Islander-owned brands? Let us know any we should include in the next list!