Aloha Mai

Kawaihili Uyeshiro, Owner of Ko Kawai Lei

Aloha! My name is Kawaihili Uyeshiro, I am a 17 year old florist and the creator behind Ko Kawai Lei, where I craft beautiful lei, wreaths, and floral arrangements. My love for flowers and colors started when I was a young child. My mom and grandma noticed early on that I was always drawn to patterns and vibrant hues, but as I grew older, this appreciation deepened into a true passion for flowers.

Growing up, our family had a protea farm, and I spent countless hours picking flowers, cleaning them, and delivering them to florists in Hilo. During the holidays, we made Christmas wreaths, and I would gift them to my teachers every year. When I was nine years old, I made a wreath so beautiful that my mom suggested I sell it—and that’s when my journey truly began. Year after year, I honed my skills, improving with every wreath I created.

As I got older, I expanded into making lei. At first, it was challenging, but I kept practicing. I loved playing with colors and patterns, later realizing that this skill—understanding spatial relationships—was something I had naturally developed through working with flowers. Over the last year, I have been wholesaling lei and leading wreath-making workshops, sharing my passion with others.

Now, as I approach high school graduation, I am putting my heart into building my floral business. I am deeply grateful to everyone who supports me and allows me to share my talents—gifts that flow through my hands, guided by my kūpuna. Mahalo for being part of this blooming adventure!