Peeking out from behind Goodwill Hawaii on the corner of Wai‘alae and Koko Head Avenues is the bright turquoise Okumura Building which houses several small businesses of creative and inspiring women.Carol Kuniyoshi is the daughter of Yoichiro and Kinu Okumura who bought the 1223 Koko Head Ave. lot where the Okumura Building is currently located. In 1982, she opened The Calico Cat (thecalicocathawaii.com), a small fabrics and notions store, in the family owned building which housed their dry-cleaning business.Kuniyoshi shows us a photo of the house she grew up in which is where the Okumura Building stands today.Every Day Better by Green Meadows (everydaybetterbygreenmeadows.com) is a brick-and-mortar next door to The Calico Cat. Items selected by store-owner Katie Meadows are sustainable and come from unique places and makers from around the world.Patty Yamasaki Sugai and her Montsuki designs have been the go-to in Hawai‘i for milestone celebrations, weddings and gala events since 1979. Still continuing the tradition that began with her mother, the late Janet Yamasaki, Patty works her magic in a workroom on the second floor of the Okumura building. Atelier 1223 at Montsuki is open by appointment. Call (808) 734-3467 or email montsuki@hawaiiantel.net.Pitacus Chop Art (@pitacuschopart), owned by Lisa Wiemken, is located on the second floor of the Okumura Building. Lisa and her sisters Wendy Sugiura and Liane Okimoto can be found laughing and talking story with customers. There you can find one-of-a-kind clothing and handcrafted gifts and accessories.
Note: Two other businesses located in the Okumura Building that are not pictured here are:Mottainai Hawaii (@mottainai_hawaii on Instagram), owned by Ann Harris Kedl who makes woven clothing, accessories and gifts; and Southpaw Studio owned by hairstylist Melissa Kupinski, (808) 721-8540.
