Stylish Pet Store Spotlight on Kapahulu

Creature Comforts: Pet style meets substance at Calvin & Susie.

Susie takes a mid-day break.

For Alli Kim-Yamane it was the endless driving that did it. The driving here, the driving there, the driving all over the Island in search of better food options for her dogs (and not being able to find any) that, ahem, drove her to leave her career in finance and open a pet store in 2010. Named after two of her four beloved golden retrievers, Calvin & Susie serves as a vehicle for Kim-Yamane’s passion for helping the earth’s creatures. All of the shop’s net profits are donated to organizations that work to improve the lives of animals.

The bright, airy space in Kilohana Square is chock-full of fun, design-oriented finds, chosen with pet happiness and safety in mind. Snap up playfully shaped squeak toys crafted out of sneaker materials, leopard-printed protective goggles, plush beds, and modern, Italian-made bowls. As a nod to Hawaii’s surf culture, the shop also stocks beachy accessories, such as sand-friendly coil leashes and foam-panel doggy life vests. And of course, a wide variety of healthier pet treats and food, carefully screened for nutritional values and sources, including Calvin & Susie’s own line of all-natural snacks, free of salt, sugar and preservatives.

The one thing you won’t find? Puppies. Calvin & Susie was the first Hawaii pet store to sign the Humane Society of the United States’ Puppy Friendly Pet Stores Pledge to end puppy mills, refusing to sell puppies and instead, supplying information on adoption and responsible breeders. 1016 Kapahulu Ave. #125, 734-2320.