Discover the stories behind Coconut Ave. From editorial features and media coverage to community recognition and brand milestones. Rooted in Hawaiʻi and inspired by island living, we're honored to share the journey of a locally founded brand that's grown through creativity, authenticity, and a deep love for the place we call home. Every feature reflects the people, values, and experiences that continue to shape Coconut Ave.
ABOUT COCONUT AVE
Founded by Hawaiʻi Island natives Mahealani Gambill and Kelly Pila, Coconut Ave was created to celebrate the beauty of everyday island life through thoughtfully designed swimwear, resort wear, and curated lifestyle goods. Every collection begins with a story, drawing inspiration from Hawaiʻi's landscapes, coastal adventures, and vibrant community, while staying true to our belief that timeless design, genuine connection, and aloha never go out of style. As we've grown from local pop-ups to boutiques across the islands, our mission has remained the same: to create meaningful experiences and products that help people carry a little piece of Hawaiʻi wherever life takes them.
FEATURED IN
As Coconut Ave has grown from local pop-ups to boutiques across the islands, our story has been shared by respected fashion publications, local news outlets, and business organizations that celebrate Hawaiʻi's creativity, entrepreneurship, and island-inspired design.
Highlights, Recognition & Features
Modern Luxury Hawaiʻi
July/August 2026
Coconut Ave is featured in Modern Luxury Hawaiʻi’s “Top 5 Swim” roundup, highlighting the brand’s island-inspired swimwear and effortless approach to Hawaiʻi lifestyle dressing. The feature spotlights Coconut Ave for its original prints, premium fabrics, and thoughtfully designed pieces made for beach days, travel, and everyday island living.
KHON2 Living808
June 17, 2026
KHON2's Living808 covered Aloha Swim, Hawaiʻi's premier luxury lifestyle showcase, highlighting Coconut Avenue as one of the featured local fashion brands in the runway presentation alongside Bloomingdale's.
The event brought together fashion, culinary, wellness, and luxury experiences, celebrating Hawaiʻi's vibrant creative community.
Highlights, Recognition & Features
Modern Luxury Hawaiʻi
September 9, 2025
Modern Luxury Hawaiʻi recognized Coconut Ave founders Mahealani Gambill and Kelly Pila in its annual Women of Style 2025 feature.
The editorial highlights their individual style inspirations, Hawaiʻi Island roots, and shared vision for Coconut Ave while showcasing the brand's modern island aesthetic and announcing an exclusive collaboration with Sig Zane.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
October 13, 2025
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit highlighted the 2025 Hawaiʻi Swim Show, showcasing Coconut Ave among the featured designers selected for the annual runway event.
The article celebrated Hawaiʻi's diverse swimwear industry, emphasizing local creativity, cultural representation, and the event's mission to elevate island designers on a global stage.
Central Pacific Bank (CPB)
August 9, 2024
Central Pacific Bank announced the 2024 WE by CPB Rising Tide cohort, recognizing Mahealani Gambill of Coconut Ave among 20 women entrepreneurs selected from across Hawaiʻi. The competitive 10-week accelerator equips established business owners with financial, marketing, and leadership strategies to support long-term business growth.
HONOLULU Magazine
July 2025
Coconut Ave was recognized by HONOLULU Magazine as the Reader Pick for Best New Boutique in the magazine's Best of HONOLULU 2025 awards. The feature celebrates the brand's expansion from Hawaiʻi Island to its first Oʻahu location at Ala Moana Center, highlighting thoughtfully designed resortwear and sustainable swimwear inspired by the Hawaiian Islands.
Founded by longtime friends Kelly Pila and Mahealani Gambill, Coconut Ave continues to champion locally inspired fashion while supporting Hawaiʻi-based brands. This recognition reflects the boutique's growing reputation for premium island lifestyle apparel, exclusive designs, and an authentic shopping experience rooted in the spirit of aloha.
Modern Luxury Hawaiʻi
July 2025
Modern Luxury Hawaiʻi spotlighted Coconut Ave's Seaside Blues Summer Collection, celebrating the brand's newest coastal-inspired designs created for effortless island living. The feature introduces three original prints—Island Bloom in Blue Hawaii, Urchin, and Retro-inspired Naupaka—alongside signature swimwear and resortwear silhouettes designed to transition seamlessly from beach days to evening adventures.
The collection reflects Coconut Ave's commitment to creating thoughtfully designed apparel inspired by Hawaiʻi's natural beauty. Readers are invited to explore the latest arrivals at the brand's boutiques in Ala Moana Center, Queens' Marketplace, and Downtown Hilo, where the exclusive collection captures the relaxed spirit and vibrant colors of island life.
Hawaii News Now
June 2025
Coconut Ave was recognized as an Entry Level Awardee in the 2024–2025 Hawaiʻi Green Business Program, celebrating the brand's commitment to sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship. Presented during the annual awards ceremony at Washington Place, the program honors organizations that demonstrate leadership in energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, pollution prevention, and community involvement.
This recognition reflects Coconut Ave's ongoing dedication to responsible business practices while creating thoughtfully designed apparel inspired by Hawaiʻi. By embracing sustainability alongside quality craftsmanship, the brand continues to support a more resilient future for Hawaiʻi's communities and natural environment.
University of Hawaiʻi System News
June 2025
Coconut Ave was featured as one of the participating alumni-owned businesses in the University of Hawaiʻi Alumni Makers' Market, an annual event celebrating local entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
Held at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the Makers' Market brought together more than 40 alumni-owned brands, highlighting businesses that contribute to Hawaiʻi's vibrant small business community and local economy.
Shopping Center Business
March 2025
Coconut Ave was recognized as one of the newest retailers to open at Ala Moana Center, joining a group of ten new brands expanding the shopping destination's retail offerings.
The article highlights Coconut Ave.'s addition alongside other fashion, beauty, dining, and lifestyle retailers, reinforcing the brand's growing presence at Hawaiʻi's premier shopping center.
Ala Moana Center is home to more than 350 stores and restaurants and is one of the world's largest open-air shopping destinations.
Highlights, Recognition & Features
University of Hawaiʻi System News
December 5, 2024
The University of Hawaiʻi System News featured Coconut Ave co-owner and University of Hawaiʻi alumna Kelly Tolar, highlighting the opening of the brand's third boutique at Ala Moana Center.
The article shares Kelly's educational journey from Hawaiʻi Community College to UH Mānoa, her involvement in student organizations, and how those experiences helped shape Coconut Ave's continued growth across Hawaiʻi.
It also spotlights Coconut Ave's curated collection of island-inspired resort wear, swimwear, and accessories designed for the Hawaiʻi lifestyle.
Highlights, Recognition & Features
HONOLULU Magazine
May 31, 2023
HONOLULU Magazine featured Coconut Ave as one of Hawaiʻi's emerging local swimwear brands, recognizing founders Mahealani Gambill and Kelly Pila for building an eco-conscious swimwear label inspired by island living.
The article highlights Coconut Ave's original Hawaiʻi-designed prints, sustainable materials, flattering silhouettes, and the opening of its new Waikoloa boutique, introducing readers to the brand's growing collection of swimwear and resort wear.
Waikoloa Beach Resort – Naupaka News
April 21, 2023
Waikoloa Beach Resort's Naupaka News spotlighted Coconut Ave as one of Queens' Marketplace's newest boutiques, highlighting the brand's commitment to sustainable fashion.
The feature showcases founders Mahea Gambill and Kelly Pila, their eco-conscious swimwear made from recycled plastic bottles, original Hawaiʻi-inspired prints, and their dedication to offering thoughtfully curated products that reflect an island lifestyle and a passion for protecting the environment.
Highlights, Recognition & Features
Fashion Magazine 24
2022
Fashion Magazine 24 covered the inaugural Swim Week in Hawaiʻi, showcasing Coconut Ave among a select group of local designers helping launch the state's first dedicated swimwear fashion event.
The feature highlights the brand's island-inspired swimwear, original prints, and commitment to sustainable design while recognizing Coconut Ave as part of Hawaiʻi's growing fashion community and the movement to spotlight locally created resort wear.
Hawaiian Aroma Caffe
May 18, 2022
Coconut Ave was featured as one of the participating brands in the Sustainable Art Exhibition and Fashion Show hosted by Hawaiian Aroma Caffe and Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger in celebration of Earth Day.
The event brought together local artists, designers, and environmental advocates to promote sustainability through fashion and art, with Coconut Ave showcasing its eco-conscious swimwear made from recycled materials and its commitment to thoughtful island-inspired design.
EVENTS & FASHION SHOWS
COLLABORATIONS
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
From community honors to industry accolades, these milestones celebrate Coconut Ave's continued growth and the passion behind everything we create. Each recognition reflects our commitment to thoughtful design, authentic storytelling, and sharing the spirit of Hawaiʻi with every collection.
PRESS RESOURCES
Discover our story, explore editorial content, and find media contact information to learn more about Coconut Ave, our founders, and our Hawaiʻi-inspired collections.
Looking to feature Coconut Ave or request an interview? Contact our team for press inquiries, editorial requests, collaborations, media features, or additional brand information. We'll be happy to assist with your story.
Learn about Coconut Ave's journey, our founders, design philosophy, sustainable approach, and the inspiration behind our Hawaiʻi-based lifestyle brand.
Explore stories about Hawaiʻi, travel, island lifestyle, behind-the-scenes features, collection launches, and the inspiration behind Coconut Ave's designs.
