AANHPI Heritage Month at sungkyulgapa

May was AANHPI month! We’re a little behind on posting on our blog but shared some of our team and brands on social! We're proud that the energy we've put out over the past six and a half years has attracted such amazing women who have become a part of the Valia family as team members and brands in our shop. We wanted to highlight some of our AANHPI shop girls & the brands they love in-store! ⁠

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This is Jenna and she’s Japanese & Okinawan!! She was our customer first before she started working with us and bought several Ocean’s End Co pieces from their active and luxe collections! Her personal favorites are the Charlotte Mini Wallet and Kennedy Mini in Onyx. ⁠
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Ocean's End Co is a locally owned and operated AANHPI business. Dani, the owner of Ocean's End, is half Filipina born and raised in Waimānalo! We can’t wait to share more throughout May 🌸

Here’s Megan! She comes from a Filipino & Japanese background! One of her favorite brands is Kris Hawai‘i because she loves her artwork across the board. Megan & owner, Kris Punua both originally come from Kaua‘i, but live here on O‘ahu now!! They’re also both part-Filipina as well!⁠
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One of the first thing’s Megan purchased from Kris was her Paradise glassware set. 💕⁠

 

Nadine is one of our shop girls at our Pearlridge Pop Up! You may catch her on some weekday evenings or weekends. She's originally from Moloka‘i! Her heritage includes Chinese & Filipino. Nadine loves and follows lots of local brands and is always checking out their new arrivals! She loves Laha‘ole Designs, especially their jewelry selection! Tanya, the owner of Laha‘ole, is both Asian and Native Hawaiian. She comes from a Chinese and Japanese background. ⁠
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Laha‘ole also recently moved into Chinatown on Bethel St just a half a block away making us officially neighbors!!!
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Here's Jannon! We met her through Elly Rose Jewelry. They recently closed their Mililank shop to get ready to open a brand new location. Her shop girls became a part of our team during the move. So naturally, when asked to share her favorite AANHPI brand in shop, she wanted to highlight her boss & friend 🤍 ⁠
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Jannon is Hawaiian and Samoan! She’s been working with Elly Rose since March 2022. She loves all of her dainty and one-of-a-kind pieces and her permanent jewelry! She loves that she's been able to learn jewelry making skills in her role there. ⁠
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Chelsie, the owner of Elly Rose has a Chinese and Filipino background! We first met Chelsie when she attended a women's networking event at our shop! As a new mom at that time, Chelsie enjoyed connected with other women small business owners. Fast forward and we now carry her pieces in shop and Chelsie, who's also an amazing photographer, shot the beautiful photos from my wedding which I'll cherish for life.

Here's Jess! She knows all the things local brands and was a huge fan of supporting small and local before coming to us! ⁠
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One brand she loves is Mahina Made! She's got a pretty amazing collection of tees which you'll see her wear while working. She's been able to meet Kailee, the owner, from markets along with her family! Jess is Native Hawaiian and Filipino and loves supporting Native Hawaiian-owned businesses like Kailee's. If you don't know, Kailee also runs the amazing Ho‘omau Market which supports and amplifies other small Native Hawaiian-owned businesses. So yeah..both these ladies are pretty awesome and we're honored to have Jess in store and Mahina made on our shelves!


Here is Stefanie who wanted to highlight AANHPI owned Geoffrey Siu Art! 
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Stef herself owns Death by Scrapbooking! She’s in the stationery scene and decided to choose another stationery brand as her favorite! She comes from a Native Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, and Okinawan background.⁠ A mixed plate!
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Geoffrey is one of our newest businesses in-store! His little Gentlemon and Pokémaam pins and stickers brighten our day. Something refreshing and nostalgic! Geoffrey is full Chinese. You can find him in both our Chinatown and Pearlridge locations. ✨