Native Hawaiian Brand Lexbreezy Hawai‘i Opens a Dreamy Boutique in Ala Moana Center

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

“It means a lot for me and my ‘ohana, and also for kānaka and Hawaiians,” says Lexbreezy Hawai‘i designer Alexis Akiona about her new Honolulu boutique, which recently opened its doors on June 3.

“As a designer, it’s the dream. You see all the big-name stores and the bright lights, and you hope that one day it will be true. There are only a few Hawaiian business owners in Ala Moana Center, so for me to be a Native Hawaiian wahine business owner there, it’s life changing. And it’s inspiring—it’s important to show everyone and keiki that it’s possible and that anybody can do it.”

Photos: Courtesy of Lexbreezy Hawai‘i, Aaron K. Yoshino

Akiona has spent years building her brand’s following, starting out with small shopping events. She launched Lexbreezy Hawai‘i back in 2016 during Merrie Monarch Festival week before opening her first O‘ahu brick-and-mortar in Kailua in 2019. “All of those pop-ups and craft fairs slowly connected,” she says of what led to this moment.

Located on the second level of Ala Moana Center’s mauka wing just a few doors down from Target, the roughly 1,000-square-foot space is all about the aloha vibes. Poppy tropical wallpaper, a thatched-roof cashwrap and lush floral displays suspended from the ceiling invite you into an island oasis, albeit a thoroughly modern one. Akiona intentionally balanced all of the natural elements with sleek metal fixtures, a move that mirrors her design aesthetic. “I’m bringing what alohawear is today in the 21st Century, what I see as my generation of alohawear.”

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Photos: Aaron K. Yoshino

What’s especially fun about the new location is that it’s currently stocked with all Ala Moana-exclusive merchandise that isn’t available in the Kailua shop or on the Lexbreezy Hawai‘i website. You’ll find the brand’s usual merchandise categories, including women’s, men’s and keiki apparel, plus swimwear and accessories. “We’ve got some great matching couples’ and family fashions,” says Akiona. And phone orders and in-store order pickups start this week.

Keep an eye out for a gorgeous new hand-painted watercolor print featuring oversized monstera leaves and hibiscus. The latest bird-of-paradise print is striking in two-tone. And lei lovers are sure to be smitten with the pretty puakenikeni print. “Puakenikeni is one of my favorites,” says Akiona. “Right now, the whole store smells like it because of all of the congratulatory lei we’ve been receiving. We’ve had so much support—we’re just so grateful.”

Photos: Aaron K. Yoshino

Lexbreezy Hawai‘i, open Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Mall Level 2, lexbreezyhawaii.com, @lexbreezyhawaii

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