Fashioning a Family Business in Hawaii
The Honolulu Advertiser - Island Life | By Paula RathTuesday, September 7, 1999Fashioning a Family Business in Hawaii
In Hawaii, the fashion business frequently is a family affair.
Princess Ka'iulani Fashions may be the most extreme example of this, with three generations involved in the company. Jean and Elmer Scott, Joan Andersen’s parents, owned a sandal and slipper company that exists today as Scott Hawaii. Joan (designer) and Jack (business partner) Andersen have four children. Their eldest daughter, Judi Harrison, who is a former Miss USA, is the “house model” and helps out in the shop. Middle daughter Jill Cullinan is vice president and oversees operations. The youngest, Jaye Daspit, paints T-shirt dresses for sale in the shop. And son Jon runs his own island sports wear company next door, Riggers Hawaii.
Jill’s twin girls, Jean and Leigh, already are experienced models and are expressing an interest in becoming fashion designers.
Other local family design houses include:
At Surf Line Hawaii/Jams World, Dave Rochlen, chairman of the board, has handed the reins of his company to his son Pua.
Mamo Howell has enlisted each of their children to play a key role: son Philip handles administration; daughter Dixie heads up sales; and daughter Leigh co-designs with her mother.
Mortimer Feldman, founder and president of Tori Richard, has made his son Josh the company’s vice president.
At Montsuki, mother Janet Yamasaki handles production while daughter Patty overseas design and the business side of things.
Iolani Sportswear involves Keiji Kawakami as president, his wife Edith as secretary/treasurer, son Lloyd as vice president and daughter Pat as head of operations.
Robert J. Clancy, Ltd., has as its president Robert Clancy Sr. Robert Clancy Jr. is secretary of the company, while his brother John is vice president of sales. Sister Shannon works part-time in sales.
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