What initially began as an entertaining hobby for Kaua‘i Police Department officer Jon Takamura, of contriving innovative and salient graphic designs for screen T-shirts and baseball shirts, is now on the verge of becoming a conceivably, full-fledged enterprise. In business
What initially began as an entertaining hobby for Kaua‘i Police Department officer Jon Takamura, of contriving innovative and salient graphic designs for screen T-shirts and baseball shirts, is now on the verge of becoming a conceivably, full-fledged enterprise.
In business since early April of this year, ‘Olelo Productions, headed by the budding entrepreneur, has become a favorite among Kaua‘i residents, who sport the popular “Aikea: I Got Your Back” shirts.
Spawned off of another popular design, “Ainokea” (“I no care,” or local pidgin for “I don’t care”), a derivative of the Lahaina, Maui-based apparel company owned by Mark L. Osedo, the “Aikea” (“I care”) variant was Takamura’s response to the message the original motto entailed.
“I don’t want to come out and say that I thought the Ainokea motto was purely negative,” acknowledged Takamura, who is an admitted supporter of the Ainokea line. “In fact, I think I was one of the first guys on Kaua‘i with an Ainokea visor, which I got from a friend who knew the owner and brought it over from Maui. But I believed that the attitude of the motto could have been a bit more positive, so I came up with a design which exudes a good message for everyone, especially the kids who wear the clothing.”
According to Takamura, there are several different versions of the Ainokea design, which vary from island to island. “Rumor has it (well, from what I heard from the customers who visit the Aikea booth at craft fairs), each island has their own Ainokea variation,” contended Takamura. “Maui has Ainokea, Kaua‘i has Aikea, and Big Island has Waikea (local pidgin for “Why care?”), named also for Waiakea, a town on the Big Island, and O‘ahu has Whokea (local pidgin for “Who cares?”). Although I’ve never seen any of the other designs yet, besides Ainokea and Aikea, a lot of customers are familiar with them.”
Prompted by a number of family and friends, Takamura began his bout with the craftfair circuit at the First Annual Lihu‘e Spring Festival. “The Lihu‘e Spring Festival was the first craft fair that I did,” said Takamura. “I went in blind, not knowing how much shirts I would sell, or if I would sell any at all. But, unbelievably, I got a great response, and sold a lot of Aikea and Pilau (Hawaiian for “stench”) items, which included a few flex caps. So, in perspective, the success and business of Aikea and other designs in general, fed off that one craft fair.”
Since the Lihu‘e Spring Festival, Takamura has been a vendor, assisted by different family members and friends, at the Hanama‘ulu Town Celebration, Kamehameha Day Parade, and the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club Christmas in July event, where he unveiled his latest lines, Kaua‘i Kane (Hawaiian for “Kaua‘i male”), and Kaua‘i Girlz.
Takamura had more success at the Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair and has, so far, resisted the urge to market his wares on other islands. “I want the lines to be available for commerce only on Kaua‘i.
“In fact, all of the merchandise is produced on Kaua‘i, through Rainbow Screening, except the flex hats and caps, which are manufactured by an O‘ahu company. I send in my designs to O‘ahu, give them the basic idea, and they design the items for me.”
Expansion of the company may come quickly, as Takamura has also been receiving a wealth of positive feedback from customers through ‘Olelo Productions’ Web site.
While no items are currently available for sale online, interested consumers are available to request catalog information and contact Takamura. “I have received a number of hits from people all over, and it is exciting. However, I am not ready for e-commerce,” he said.
“I built the site myself, and am just getting used to updating it, but sometime in the future I hope to slowly but surely begin to have items available for sale on the Web site.”
The T-shirts, tanks, spaghetti tanks, and long-sleeved shirts, which come in staple colors of red, black, and navy blue, also come in a variation of styles geared specifically for men, women, and children.
Lines of the items also include “Halala Coconana” (Hawaiian scolding rhyme) and “Dawg gone it” (local pidgin saying).
Though only a limited number of styles and colors are available, special orders can be requested. “I also do special orders,” declared Takamura. “The Hawaiian Airlines softball team wanted special team shirts in green, and I was able to fulfill their request. If any customer wants a special design and color for the shirt, I’ll do my best to complete what they have in mind, for no extra charge,” he continued.
“I have a lot of ideas, as far as positive Hawaiian and local pidgin phrases, for designs in the works,” asserted Takamura. “I am anxious to get my ideas off the ground, especially in the line of hats, visors, and other apparel.
“But no matter what happens with the business, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to make something of my hobby. I have not set up any profit margins or anything like that. I’m just doing it because it’s fun.”
For more information on Aikea merchandise or to place an order, please call Takamura at 652-2249, or visit www.oleloproductions.com.
