Business Monday: OluKai opens new retail location at Queens’ Marketplace

They’re not sandals, flip-flops or slippahs. These are OluKai. And now you can get them on the Big Island.

The Hawaiian-inspired footwear brand recently opened a new retail location in Hawai‘i at Queens’ Marketplace in Waikōloa. This is the company’s seventh brick-and-mortar location in the state, and first on Hawaiʻi Island, joining Hilton Hawaiian Village, Chinatown and Sheraton Waikīkī on Oʻahu, along with Wailea and Whalers Village in Maui and Kukui‘ula on Kaua‘i.

Located at 68-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr., OluKai held its grand opening at the shopping center in July, occupying shop J8.

According to an OluKai press release, the company honors place-based history and storytelling through the design of their stores, working in collaboration with Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) designers such as Keola Naka‘ahiki Rapozo.

“We are excited to provide residents and visitors of Hawaiʻi Island a brick-and-mortar OluKai experience, that offers areas for rest, reflection and the opportunity to admire the abstract local art that is inspired by the natural history of this place,” said Matt Lindauer, Senior Vice President of Creative at OluKai. “It is essential to honor Hawai‘i’s history and we do so through every element of our design.”

Within the Waikōloa store’s design, elements speak to the drastic transformation of the area, from productive uplands and vast interior fish ponds filled with abundant resources to blackened lava fields and now the regeneration and transformation of new life.

“Throughout the store, there are references to the past, present and future surroundings,” the release states. “Basalt-clad walls reference lava flow, warm wood floors signify the fallen trees and the transitional phase of life, along with plants and colorful artwork, imagery and lighting that represent the bright new life, resiliency of Hawaiʻi and unique flora and fauna that have survived in this remote place.”

Slipper designer Rapozo said he enjoys working with the team at OluKai because the projects discover connections between a new space and existing brand narratives.

“We ask everyone who steps into the space at each location to engage with the prompt,” said Rapozo. “This prompt is a moment to enter into a protocol between user and space, always stating intent and then asking for permission. This location is where we are Exploring Dualities: He Lena Ko Uka, Nena Ko Kai. The concept of ‘He Lena Ko Uka, He Nena Ko Kai’ delves into the inherent duality on land and in the ocean.”