About Us
ALOHA COLLECTION WAS BORN OUT OF A LOVE OF TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND THE OCEAN.
What do you get when you cross an international flight attendant who dreamed of starting a business with an international business major who had never taken a long-distance flight but dreamed of travel? A match made in paradise.
Match Made in Paradise
Heather
Interests: Travel, Yoga, Food
Problem: Sweaty Hot Yoga Clothes
Best Asset: Confidence, Execution
Motivation: Building an Empire, Financial Security
Rachael
Interests: Travel, Surfing
Problem: How to Pack Wet Bikini
Best Asset: Creativity
Motivation: Freedom, Travel
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
In 2009, a vacant room and a Craigslist ad brought two friends together. Years later, a twist of fate brought them back together again. In 2013, Rachael, broken (literally broken foot and broke from not being able to fly), and Heather, who found herself in a volatile real estate market, were both dreaming of something bigger.
ALOHA Collection started with a single bag, a shared dream, and a Kickstarter campaign. With $2000 each, a bit of magic, and a handshake, ALOHA Collection was on its way.
Since the launch of ALOHA Collection, Rachael and Heather have not only created a thriving business, they have built an international ʻOhana.
Team Aloha
FROM OUR FOUNDERS
"We value family and consider our team and customers to be an extension of our ʻohana. We value friendship and community. We travel with open hearts and when we see you carrying our bags, it feels like running into an old friend. Next time you see us on the road, please be sure to say hello or aloha!
We want our dream to inspire yours!"
xo, Heather + Rachael
Milestones
Milestones
2013 - Used initial $4000 towards logo, website, trademark and samples
2014 - Raised $6147 on Kickstarter, spent $2000 of it on Magic Tradeshow, Heather takes her first international flight
2015 - Launched the Coco Palms print which put us on the map in Hawaiʻi and remains our #1 best seller
2016 - Quit our day jobs, hired our first employee, and booked it to Europe for 2 months
2017 - 25,000 bags showed up on our doorstep and we decided to get a warehouse
2018 - Traveled light and worked from: Greece, Italy, China, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia, Tulum, Miami, NYC, Hawaiʻi, New Zealand
2019 - 20 employees and counting
2020 - Still self-funded and dreaming big
2021 - Opened our first Flagship store in Waikīkī
VISION
To build an International ʻOhana, one bag at a time.
MISSION
To encourage travel, adventure, healthy and active lifestyles, and to Share the ALOHA.
In Hawaiian, Mālama ʻĀina means to take care of the land. We donate 5% of profits to Hawaiʻi-based conservation organizations annually as a way of giving back to the community and to help preserve the cultural heritage and natural beauty of our home.
As a company founded by two Native Hawaiian women, giving back is important to us. We look forward to future partnerships as we continue to grow.
RECIPIENTS
2015 - Hawaiian Islands Land Trust
2016 - Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (Maunawila Heiau Project)
2017 & 2018 - Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (Maunawila Heiau Project); Kīpuka Kuleana; Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi
2019 - KAHEA - the Hawaiian Environmental Alliance (Mauna Kea Legal Defense Fund) ; Livable Hawaiʻi Kai Hui; Kuaʻaina Ulu ʻAuamo
2020 -Livable Hawaiʻi Kai Hui (Kamilonui Valley ʻOhana Gardens Program); Kuaʻaina Ulu ʻAuamo, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (Makaʻalae Project); The Trust for Public Land Hawaiian Islands Program
2021 - The Trust for Public Land and Mālama Huleia (Alakoko Fishpond); Kuaʻaina Ulu ʻAuamo (Year of the Limu Campaign); Livable Hawaiʻi Kai Hui (Kamilonui ʻOhana Gardens Program & Land Acquisition Fund); Kīpuka Kuleana; Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (Mahukona Project); Molokaʻi Land Trust; Hoʻokuaʻaina; Kaluakalana; Kauaʻi Historical Society.
