If you've ever visited Bali, you know it’s more than just a place—it’s a feeling. The warm breeze through the palm trees, the scent of frangipani and incense in the air, the salty kisses from the ocean after a surf, the sound of scooters zipping past temples, the stunning craftsmanship that spills out of every corner—from the wood carvings to the woven baskets, the silver jewelry to the textiles.
Bali is soul-fueling magic.
It’s no surprise then, that it’s also the place where our creative journey truly began.
We’ve been coming to Bali for over 15 years now. It's wild to think about that. From our early twenties to where we are today—business owners, mothers, designers—Bali has been with us through it all. It’s been our classroom, our studio, our source of inspiration, and in many ways, a second home.
The First Spark
Back in 2008, Mahea took a girls’ surf trip to Bali that would unknowingly shift the course of her life. Days were spent surfing the Bukit’s warm reef breaks, exploring markets, and soaking up all the beauty of island life. But it was more than just a vacation. It lit a creative fire. With a deep love for fashion, a degree from FIDM, and a natural flair for style, Mahea came home from that trip brimming with ideas. That same year, she launched her very first bikini line with friends. It wasn’t about becoming the next big thing—it was about expressing the essence of the lifestyle we lived and loved. Salt, sun, freedom, and femininity.
A few years later, Kelly found herself on her own creative path. After several trips to Bali, soaking up everything from fabric markets in Denpasar to sunsets in Uluwatu, she knew it was time. With a background in sewing from high school, classes in Fashion Design and Merchandising at UH Mānoa, and a head full of ideas, she launched her own clothing line in 2014.
Each of us had our own story, our own reasons, but the heart of it was the same: we wanted to create beautiful, wearable pieces that felt like an extension of the island lifestyle we loved—easy, relaxed, intentional, stylish.
And Bali? Bali made that dream possible.
Why Bali?
For anyone who’s ever tried to produce fashion on a small scale, you know how hard it is to find the right support. Back in the day, there weren’t many accessible options in Hawai‘i or the U.S. mainland for small-batch designers who wanted high-quality work without ordering thousands of units. But in Bali? The resources were there—and not just available, but truly exceptional.
We’re talking about the best pattern makers, the most skilled seamstresses, people who understand fabric and fit like an art form. The kind of people who can take a rough sketch and turn it into a perfectly draped garment in a matter of days.
Everything you need as a designer is in Bali: amazing fabrics, unique trims, beautiful hardware and fasteners, natural dyes, and specialty printing techniques. You can walk into a market in Denpasar or a small family-run factory in Kerobokan and find the materials that match exactly what you’ve been dreaming up in your sketchbook.
But even more than the materials, it’s the people. There’s a deep spirit of craftsmanship and care that lives in the work done there. A reverence for handmade things. It’s not mass-produced—it’s meaningful. We’ve built relationships with tailors and production partners over the years who know our names, who remember the first collection we brought them, who understand the standards we hold and the stories we’re trying to tell through our pieces.
That kind of trust and mutual respect is priceless.
We’ve Always Been Makers
This creative path didn’t start with Bali, though. It started in our teenage bedrooms, back when we were sewing our own clothes and swimwear from whatever fabric we could find. Back when we were cutting up old t-shirts to make something cooler. Back when we’d wear things we made to school or the beach and get compliments that made us think, maybe we’re onto something?
Fashion wasn’t a trend for us—it was always part of who we were. Creating pieces that felt like us, that fit our bodies and personalities better than what was on the racks, gave us confidence and joy.
That spirit carried through into our brands today. The process might be more refined now, but the heart is the same. We still get giddy about a perfect fabric find. We still obsess over fit and feel. We still want to make things that people love to live in.
Bali helped us take that passion and elevate it. It gave us a space to dream bigger, to learn the business side of fashion, to collaborate with talented people who shared our love for detail and quality.
Beyond Design
Of course, designing and creating is only one part of what makes Bali special to us.
It’s the late-night nasi goreng runs after long design days. The morning surf checks before heading to the factory. The endless inspiration from the colors, textures, and landscapes around us. The sound of the call to prayer mingling with reggae music and roosters crowing. The feeling of being in a place that’s alive with contrast, color, and creativity.
Bali is a place where you can wake up and be productive, inspired, challenged, and fulfilled—all in the same day. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve been there, but there’s an energy to the island that brings out your best. It strips away distractions and reminds you of what really matters.
And maybe that’s why, fifteen years later, we’re still going back. Even now, with families and businesses and full lives here in Hawai‘i, we make space for Bali. Because it’s part of our creative process. It’s part of our story. It’s part of us.
A Shared Path
Over time, our individual creative paths started to intertwine more and more. We were bouncing ideas off each other, giving feedback on collections, sharing contacts and fabric sources. Eventually, it made sense to do what we always knew we could—build something together.
That’s where Coconut Ave really came to life: at the intersection of our shared values, our mutual love for island living, and our deep appreciation for what Bali has given us.
From our earliest collections to the ones we’re working on now, you’ll find that Bali influence woven through every thread—whether it’s the breezy silhouettes, the thoughtfully chosen fabrics, or the relaxed-yet-polished aesthetic that reflects both the islands we come from and the ones that helped shape us.
Gratitude
We’re incredibly thankful to Bali—not just as a place, but as a partner in our journey. The island has given us tools, teachers, and a creative playground that has fueled over a decade of ideas, growth, and beautiful designs.
And to everyone who’s ever supported our collections, worn our pieces, walked into our shops, or shared a kind word—mahalo nui loa. You’re part of this story too. Every purchase, every post, every compliment fuels us to keep going.
This isn’t just about fashion—it’s about the journey. It’s about connection. It’s about creating something meaningful and beautiful and real.
Bali taught us that.
And we’ll keep returning, keep creating, keep evolving—with that same sense of gratitude and wonder we felt on our very first trip, fifteen years ago.