Aloha! My name is Calvin and I am currently an undergraduate studying Biology and Business Management at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Being born and raised in one of the most diverse Hawaiian Islands, and being familiarized with the land, people, history and culture, I undoubtedly noticed that climate change is chewing away pieces of the paradise we once had. That is why I believe that with MoistHawaii, and with help from the community, we can make Hawai'i a better place for future generations.
How exactly did MoistHawaii become a clothing brand?
MoistHawaii started out as a fun project with the objective of showcasing talented content creators, models, and so-called "influencers" from the beautiful island of O'ahu. I'll be completely honest, at one point I lost motivation to continue because I feel like anyone could do the same thing by reposting or sharing a picture they found on Instagram. However, one thing that did stood out to me was the meaningful messages that were portrayed by these creators. That's when I decided to become a creator myself so that I can also produce something that is unique, beautiful and meaningful, and sharing that with the world.
Is it worth starting your own business?
Converting this side-project into a clothing brand was not easy. I had to teach myself how to build a website, manage inventories, create and market products, organize my finances, network with strangers, and so much more. However, after going through years of trial-and-error, I was able to gain valuable knowledge and insight on how to successfully run a business, and allowing MoistHawaii continue sustaining itself for the long-run. The downside that people don't mention is that building a business from scratch takes a lot of time and energy, and adds additional stress on top of the many priorities you have already commit yourself to. It's definitely not for people who prefers to live comfortably and don't want to deal with the stress that they already have. I know for a fact that my parents rather to live a simple life, and that's completely okay because it's what makes them happy. I know I'm passionate and motivated to grow along with my business because it allows me to become more open-minded, learn a little of everything, and meet amazing people who I never thought I would meet.
What drives MoistHawaii forward?
When I started spearfishing with my little brother and cousin in 2015, I thought that everything about our ocean & reef was perfect. But that was because I don't have anything to compare my initial perceptions to. Just a few years later, I was able to notice the drastic change in reef health. Corals are bleached, native fish are migrating away from the coast, and human trash can be seen near the shorelines. Can you believe that 90% of our world's coral reefs will be wiped out by 2050?? To prevent that from happening, we have to work together as a community to stop climate change. As a local business owner, I will try my best to contribute to our community by attending beach cleanup events, donating portions of our company’s profits to reputable non-profit organizations, promote the use of sustainable and renewable products, giving back to the less fortunate, and finding ways to spread awareness to the uninformed. I genuinely believe that with help from everyone in our community we can one day restore our reefs back to what it once was!
How exactly did MoistHawaii become a clothing brand?
MoistHawaii started out as a fun project with the objective of showcasing talented content creators, models, and so-called "influencers" from the beautiful island of O'ahu. I'll be completely honest, at one point I lost motivation to continue because I feel like anyone could do the same thing by reposting or sharing a picture they found on Instagram. However, one thing that did stood out to me was the meaningful messages that were portrayed by these creators. That's when I decided to become a creator myself so that I can also produce something that is unique, beautiful and meaningful, and sharing that with the world.
Is it worth starting your own business?
Converting this side-project into a clothing brand was not easy. I had to teach myself how to build a website, manage inventories, create and market products, organize my finances, network with strangers, and so much more. However, after going through years of trial-and-error, I was able to gain valuable knowledge and insight on how to successfully run a business, and allowing MoistHawaii continue sustaining itself for the long-run. The downside that people don't mention is that building a business from scratch takes a lot of time and energy, and adds additional stress on top of the many priorities you have already commit yourself to. It's definitely not for people who prefers to live comfortably and don't want to deal with the stress that they already have. I know for a fact that my parents rather to live a simple life, and that's completely okay because it's what makes them happy. I know I'm passionate and motivated to grow along with my business because it allows me to become more open-minded, learn a little of everything, and meet amazing people who I never thought I would meet.
What drives MoistHawaii forward?
When I started spearfishing with my little brother and cousin in 2015, I thought that everything about our ocean & reef was perfect. But that was because I don't have anything to compare my initial perceptions to. Just a few years later, I was able to notice the drastic change in reef health. Corals are bleached, native fish are migrating away from the coast, and human trash can be seen near the shorelines. Can you believe that 90% of our world's coral reefs will be wiped out by 2050?? To prevent that from happening, we have to work together as a community to stop climate change. As a local business owner, I will try my best to contribute to our community by attending beach cleanup events, donating portions of our company’s profits to reputable non-profit organizations, promote the use of sustainable and renewable products, giving back to the less fortunate, and finding ways to spread awareness to the uninformed. I genuinely believe that with help from everyone in our community we can one day restore our reefs back to what it once was!