Meet the team
Lehua Threads began from something simple — a curiosity to create. After Isabelle noticed how expensive Palaka babydoll tops were, she became interested in trying to make one herself. Once she shared the idea with her stepmom, Maria, a used domestic sewing machine was found through Facebook Marketplace to help bring that idea to life. Isabelle created her own Palaka babydoll top, and almost immediately, her friends began asking about it. Using leftover fabric scraps, matching headbands were made, becoming the very first products of the brand. As interest in the babydoll tops continued to grow, another sewing machine was purchased to help keep up with orders, leading to the first batch of tops being created and sold. As the business expanded, Maria took on a major role in helping build Lehua Threads by sewing products, creating new designs, managing orders, and helping guide the growth of the brand. Riah also became an important part of the business by helping build the social media presence through promoting products, creating content, and connecting the brand with more people in the community. Together, their creativity, teamwork, and family support helped Lehua Threads grow into a brand inspired by local style, creativity, and community.
Maria
Fashion and creativity have always been a passion, and sewing quickly became a creative outlet where ideas could be brought to life. Through the process of building the brand, new styles and designs were constantly experimented with, often inspired by ideas and requests from daughters Isabelle, Riah, and Jellie. Every piece created became part of both the learning process and the growth of the business. There is still a desire to continue learning more advanced garment construction, including men’s shirts that may be introduced in the future. One of the most meaningful parts of building Lehua Threads has been the freedom and flexibility it provides — the ability to create something meaningful while still being present for family, school, and life’s important moments.
Isabelle
Lehua Threads was inspired by Isabelle, as the brand was named after her. She was the one who first came up with the idea to start making palaka tops, turning a simple concept into something meaningful and wearable. What began as a small creative idea soon grew as more designs were introduced, allowing the brand to expand beyond just tops into different styles and pieces. Throughout this process, she also had support from her stepmom, Maria, who helped encourage and guide the development of the brand. With both creativity and support behind it, Lehua Threads continued to grow while staying rooted in its original inspiration and local style.
Azariah
Azariah was born and raised in Hawai‘i and has always had a love for fashion and design. As the primary social media manager for Lehua Threads, Azariah helps bring the brand to life through content creation, photography, and brand representation. Along with managing social media, Azariah also models for Lehua Threads and handles all the prep work for the fabric behind the scenes. Being involved in every step of the process has made it even more meaningful to share a little piece of Hawai‘i and connect with people through fashion and creativity.
