JAPANESE & NATIVE HAWAIIAN
artisan design & cultural consultantING
cultural resource management
Visual & Graphic DesigN
Product & event Development
Research & Synthesis
CO-FOUNDED & ESTABLISHED IN 2021 BY MARK MAUIKANEHOALANI LOVELL & PAUL KALEIONAMAUIA OKAMI
KAIROU WATERMAN - WOLF OF THE WAVES® ; © 2024 ; ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Donate / contribute to the local relief effort in Lahaina, Kihei, & Central MAUI.
FOR KANAKA / KAMA’AINA IN URGENT NEED: MAUI MUTUAL AID FUND (650) 279-1662
Disney, REPRESENTATION & colorism in Hollywood
A CNN interview with OniMasai Connor on a reported casting decision that sparked more conversation about representation and colorism in Hollywood.
UC RIVERSIDE DANCE DEPT. VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
Registration is open now.
SPECIALISTS IN UNIQUE FUSIONS OF TIME-HONORED JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH DESIGNS ROOTED IN AUTHENTIC HAWAIIAN WAVE-RIDING & WATERMAN CULTURE.
KAIROU は、ハワイと日本の文化をそれぞれのデザインに融合させています。私たちが作るすべての作品は、両方の文化の美しさと哲学を探求しています.
Hoʻohanohano ʻo KAIROU i ka poʻe a me ka moʻomeheu o Hawaiʻi. Hoʻohanohano kā mākou hana i nā ʻano hana kahiko. He mau keiki mākou na Hawaiʻi a me Iapana. No nā moʻomeheu ʻelua ko mākou ikaika.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES /
業務改善 /
ʻO KA ULU ʻANA O KA ʻOIHANA
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Our unrivaled expertise will guide your project in all practical and philosophical matters of Hawaiian and/or Japanese cultural identity, to ensure against incidental cultural appropriation, indigenous mimicry, or cultural caricature.
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-Utilizing the proprietary niokepani visual philosophy, KAIROU can create, supplement, or add to your organization’s, product’s, or event’s visual identity.
-Our clients are established multi-national corporations, progressive non-profits, social organizations, innovators, influencers, and public charities working at the intersection of ethical entrepreneurship and:
Fine Art, Fashion, (Western & Indigenous) Education, Environmental advocacy, Gender Equality, LGBTQiA+, Sustainable Tourism, Social Awareness campaigns, Youth Groups/Livelihoods, Community Advocacy, & Hawaiian Water Sports
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Culturally empowered producers achieve long term success in any market. KAIROU clarifies relevant cultural variables to expand your project’s impact, appeal, and profitability.
-SPEED DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR CULTURE-CONSCIOUS PRODUCT, EVENT OR SERVICE.
-MEET PRODUCTION DEADLINES WITHOUT FEAR OF ETHICAL INACCURACY OR INDIGENOUS MIMICRY
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Our methods build trust, mitigate conflict, encourage honest communication, and increase ethical collaboration, while grounding each module in timeless Hawaiian values. We will engage your employees, promote company culture, and boost morale & productivity.
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Exploring, identifying, & incorporating cultural nuances into your brand identity, product development, or event planning creates new energy & purpose in any business.
KAIROU’s business insight solutions integrate genuine culture into processes and procedures to optimize outcomes, build authenticity, foster credibility, and grow sustainable long-term success.
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MARK MAUIKANEHOALANI LOVELL
Co-Founder / Lead Designer & Cultural Resource Manager
Mark is a Native Hawaiian cultural advisor, and teacher of indigenous culture & sustainability at Waikiki Elementary Public School in Honolulu.
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ONIMASAI Ku'ulei Connor
KAIROU Brand Ambassador
OniMasai is a Native Hawaiian model, brand ambassador, & fierce advocate for cultural ethics and Black-Hawaiian identity, based in Honolulu.
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Pono Alexander Heen
Visual Media Designer & Cultural Resource Manager
Pono is a Native Hawaiian photographer, videographer, and waterman with a background in commerce and finance, based in Honolulu.
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PAUL KALEIONAMAUIA OKAMI
Co-Founder / CAD Engineer / Lead Fabricator & Cultural Resource Manager
Paul is a Japanese culture specialist, an executive overseeing production at KoAloha Ukulele in Honolulu, and an artisan luthier of 20+ years experience.