Celebrate wahine-led businesses this month (and St Patrick’s Day, too)!
Around the globe, March 8 is recognized as International Women’s Day, celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year marks the 115th year of this international advocacy movement, and we’re shining a spotlight on some of Kailua Town’s women business-owners (who also offer inspiring pearls of wisdom for women thinking about running their own business).
Also this month, Big City Diner Kailua celebrates St. Patrick’s Day on March 16th and 17th with fresh corned beef and Kunia cabbage specials on the lunch and dinner menus plus family meal deals to go. Find out more here.
Christine Tang, Found/Owner, Aloha Kira
A passion for storytelling through inspiring visuals led Christine Tang to create spaces that bring joy and discovery to everyday shopping. She founded Kira in 2010 and expanded the brand in 2022 with the opening of Aloha Kira, a creative lifestyle boutique featuring their own collections alongside thoughtfully curated clothing and gifts from other local artists and designers. Christine loves connecting with customers and seeing how they style Kira pieces and interact with products that feel special to them.
Pearl of wisdom: Build a circle of support around you of family, friends, mentors, peers – it truly takes a village to build something meaningful!
Amerjit Ghag, Owner/Designer, Island Bungalow
On a trip to India, Amerjit Ghag was inspired by the furniture that was made using architectural salvage. India also is a textile heaven for this life-long textile enthusiast, so she thought an island- inspired interpretation of those two elements would be unique for Hawai‘i. After opening Chai Studio in Kaka‘ako in 2011, Amerjit rebranded to Island Bungalow and opened her Hekili Street boutique five years later. Her designs are hand carved and block printed by artisans in India and then made up into home furnishings and clothing on all-natural fabrics – all are small batch or one-or-a-kind pieces.
Pearl of wisdom: Research and preparation is everything but so is finding a mentor who you can tap into for advice.
Rene Ferreira, Co-Owner, Kailua Crystals
When Rene Ferreira and her husband Marlon visited Hawai‘i for the first time in 2018 they felt an intense spiritual connection to the land and knew they wanted bring the concept of crystal healing to the Islands – a place known for its healing traditions. They opened Kailua Crystals the following year. For those ready to take a break from the mundane, it’s an inviting and unique retail space to experience the world of crystals and perhaps find inspiration, peace, and inner positivity. Rene specializes in crystal healing and loves teaching others how to harness the energy of crystals for their own wellness and to better connect with the natural world.
Pearl of wisdom: Don’t overthink it. Just start doing it. The rest will follow. If it’s part of your heart, then it’s part of your destiny.
Katrina Go, Partner, Splash! Hawaii
Katrina Go’s lifelong love of fashion dates back to her childhood when she spent afternoons and school holidays tagging merchandise and flipping through catalogues at Splash! Hawaii, a specialty swimwear boutique her father and his close friend opened in 1980 near Diamond Head Beach. She continued to work in the family business as it expanded to other locations offering a curated selection of trusted brands and standout local labels. Since her early thirties Katrina and her father have run the family business as partners. While balancing the hustle of work and family life, she finds deep fulfillment mentoring an incredible team of women and, of course, working alongside her dad for more than half her life.
Pearl of wisdom: In today’s fast-paced world of social media, it’s easy to compare yourself to everyone else — but my advice is: don’t. Focus on your own path, and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing.
Kristine Kelly, Founder/Owner, Revolt Movement Studio
As a mother of two and a small business owner in Hawai‘i, Kristine Kelly is passionate about building something that not only supports her family, but uplifts other women and small businesses along the way. After working as a personal trainer and being in the fitness industry for over 10 years, opening a studio to serve a community of people who value health, strength, and wellness felt like a natural progression. Revolt Movement Studio opened in September 2025 and blends intentional programming and high-energy music in a space where people can connect through movement.
Pearl of wisdom: Start before you feel ready. You will never have all the answers. Figure it out as you go. Build it scared, build it tired, build it anyway.
