Courtesy of: Alikaleo Park
HONOLULU (Island News) — For Alex and Sarah Kawakami, raising children and raising a business have gone hand in hand. Out of the day-to-day rhythm of parenthood—bedtime routines, family play, and moments of inspiration—came the idea for Alikaleo Park, a children’s clothing brand rooted in creativity, culture, and family legacy.
The couple launched the brand in 2022 from their home on O‘ahu, blending Sarah’s eye for design with Alex’s creative background as a musician. But for Sarah and Alex, the path into fashion carried an even deeper connection. Alex’s grandparents founded ʻIolani Sportswear, a brand that became one of Hawai‘i’s most recognized names in aloha apparel.
Alex and Sarah Kawakami started Alikaleo Park as a way to continue their family’s legacy started almost a century ago.
That sense of heritage is stitched into Alikaleo Park’s story, but so is the reality of launching a small business in Hawai‘i today. Despite the hurdles, the Kawakamis have found ways to turn challenges into creativity. The designs often draw from everyday life—moments with their children, the joy of growing up in Hawai‘i, or playful reminders of island culture.
Alikaleo Park has already gained attention at events like the Made in Hawai‘i Festival, where thousands of shoppers gather each year to support local entrepreneurs. For the Kawakamis, being part of that community is just as important as growing their own brand.
Looking ahead, the couple sees steady growth, not rapid expansion, as the future for Alikaleo Park. They want to keep their values at the forefront: quality over quantity, creativity over trends, and family over everything else.
For the Kawakamis, entrepreneurship is not just about products, but about people—customers who become part of the story, and a family legacy that continues in a new way. Alikaleo Park may be a young brand, but it’s one that carries the spirit of generations past into the future of Hawai‘i fashion.
