MEET THE FOUNDER

Meet the Founder 🌊🤙🏽☀️

Kai, the founder of Hoʻōla Kai, was born and raised on the mainland, but her heart has always been tied to Hawai‘i. Her father was born and raised there, and her grandmother also grew up in the islands. Even after moving to the Carolinas when Kai’s grandmother was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the family — especially her grandmother — made Hawaiian culture an everyday part of life for Kai and her siblings.

From hula dancing, spam musubi, chicken katsu, and her name (meaning “sea”) to the special hōʻokupu of being given her hīpuʻu lei from her grandmother, Kai grew up deeply connected to the traditions her family carried from Hawai‘i. She also embraces her Filipino & Hungarian heritage, finding beauty in the blending of cultures that have shaped her identity.

Kai has always loved the fresh, revitalized feeling of stepping out of the ocean after a beach day — sun-kissed skin, salt in her hair, and a glow that lingers long after the waves fade. She created Hoʻōla Kai to capture that feeling and share it with others, no matter where they are.

For her, Hoʻōla Kai — which means “to heal, revive, or bring life from the sea” — is more than skincare. It’s a love letter to her roots, a celebration of heritage, and an invitation to carry the ocean’s magic with you every day.