When you pick up one of our signature bikinis, breezy resort wear sets, or beach-ready active pieces from Coconut Ave, you’re not just holding a garment—you’re holding a piece of art, thoughtfully imagined and meticulously created by one of our founders, Mahealani Gambill.
If you’ve ever admired the playful sophistication of our debut Sand Bar collection—featuring the iconic Coco-Dot print and the clean, modern lines of Bamboo Stripes, then you’ve already been introduced to her work. But there’s a much deeper story behind these designs—one rooted in creativity, homegrown talent, a love for Hawai‘i, and years of dedication to design.
This is the story of Mahea’s journey—and how her artistry shapes the visual soul of Coconut Ave.
From FIDM to Hawai‘i Island: Bringing Beauty Back Home
Mahea's journey into design began far from the quiet surf breaks and black sand beaches of Hawai‘i Island. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles with a degree in graphic design—an experience that challenged her creativity and sharpened her technical skills.
While living and working in LA, she immersed herself in the fast-paced world of fashion and design, gaining invaluable experience that would later inform everything from branding to textile creation. But her heart was always tethered to Hawai‘i. Not long after graduating, she returned to her home island—bringing with her a fresh perspective, a deep understanding of design, and a strong desire to create something meaningful and rooted in her island upbringing.
Freelance Foundations & Island Hustle
Back home, Mahea dove into freelance work, supporting other local small businesses with graphic design, brand development, and merchandising. Her eye for aesthetics and her intuitive grasp of marketing made her a sought-after creative partner. She also worked as a merchandiser for Waikīkī fashion businesses, where she learned the art of curating products that tell a story—an experience that would become essential in her next chapter.
But it wasn’t long before Mahea began dreaming bigger—about designs that were entirely her own.
Lilikini: A Brand Born from Love (and Necessity)
Enter Lilikini—Mahea’s first solo venture, lovingly named after her daughter, Lili. What started as a homegrown business making handmade bikinis for women and kids quickly became something more. Every stitch was sewn by hand in her home studio. Every piece carried the same heart, care, and attention to detail that still defines her work today.
As the needs of her community grew, so did her product offerings. Soon she was designing paddling pants and sports tops for water women and paddlers across the islands—athletic pieces that married style and function with local insight. This expansion sparked a second brand and a growing following of customers who loved her signature look: clean, modern silhouettes infused with island flair.
The Birth of Coconut Ave
When the idea of Coconut Ave was born, it wasn’t in a conference room or office—it was in the lineup at Pine Trees on the west side of Hawai‘i Island. Our very first “board meeting” was literal: us, in the ocean, dreaming between sets about what our dream brand might look like.
We talked about classic silhouettes with modern twists, fun and timeless prints, and what we would want to wear ourselves on beach days, surf trips, and breezy nights out. We wanted a brand that could reflect our style and our roots—one that celebrates our island lifestyle in a real, tangible way.
That day, floating in the ocean, our first prints were born. The Coco-Dot and Bamboo Stripes from our Sand Bar collection started as sketches in Mahea’s mind, inspired by natural textures, beach finds, and nostalgic patterns reimagined through a contemporary lens.
The Design Process: From Idea to Print
People often ask us: “Where do your prints come from?” The answer is simple: they come from Mahea.
Every pattern you see on Coconut Ave swim and resort wear starts with her. Using a mix of hand sketching, digital illustration, and photography, Mahea builds her motifs from the ground up. She draws inspiration from local flora, waves, textures, and color palettes found in everyday life here on Hawai‘i Island—then translates them into thoughtful print designs using Illustrator and Photoshop.
It’s not unusual for her to create five or ten different versions of a single print—playing with colorways, scale, and layout until it feels just right. She tweaks, tests, and experiments tirelessly, making sure each design feels cohesive, wearable, and aligned with the stories we want to tell.
That’s the magic of Mahea—she has both the eye and the skill to bring a concept to life, while holding true to our brand values and our lifestyle.
Partnership in Every Print
Our design process is deeply collaborative. From the very beginning, we’ve approached every decision as a team. We’re constantly texting each other with sketches, color combos, references, and wild ideas - Mahea will be back within hours with a visual version.
It’s a dynamic process, rooted in trust, friendship, and shared vision.
We’re lucky that Mahea’s background in graphic design lets her do it all. She’s not only the artist behind the prints; she also creates our hangtags, product packaging, signage, email templates, and visual branding across our stores. She’s a one-woman creative studio—and her work touches every part of the Coconut Ave experience.
Creating with Intention
We’ve never been interested in chasing trends or designing just for the sake of keeping up. Our approach is slow, intentional, and personal. Mahea doesn’t just make something because it looks cute (although it always does!)—she designs from a place of authenticity and connection.
Each piece is something we’d wear ourselves. Something we’d proudly gift to our sisters, aunties, or best friends. Something we hope you’ll wear to the beach, the farmer’s market, or while watching the sunset in your backyard with a glass of wine.
It’s fashion with feeling—brought to life through thoughtful design and art that speaks to island life.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
It’s wild to look back on where we started—surfing at Pine Trees and dreaming up prints. Now we’re preparing for seasonal collections, fashion shows, and pop-ups across the state. But no matter how far we grow, we’ll always stay rooted in where we began: on the coast of Hawai‘i Island, with salt in our hair, sand on our feet, and hearts full of inspiration.
And at the center of it all is Mahea—an artist, a mother, a surfer, and a visionary designer. Her art doesn’t just decorate our collections—it defines them.
We hope when you wear our pieces, you feel the love, care, and creativity behind them. Because every print tells a story—and every story starts with her.
Want to see Mahea’s latest designs?
Come visit us at Coconut Ave in Waikoloa, Hilo, or Ala Moana—or explore our newest Seaside Blues collection online. Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes peeks into Mahea’s creative process, new prints in the works, and upcoming launches!