HONOLULU (HI Now) - Kiniokahokuloa Zamora’s success as a fashion designer is a story about the power of ‘ohana. Perhaps his parents sensed he was destined for greatness, and this inspired his name, which in Hawaiian means “King of the Morning Star.”
Today, he is known as Kini Zamora, with an established eponymous brand recognized in local and global fashion. He emerged from relative obscurity and became a household name virtually overnight after representing Hawai’i for a season on Project Runway, the reality TV show, in 2015. He is the founder and CEO of a flourishing business and his company’s mission is simply: “Naʻu ke kūkaulani,” which can be translated to “carrying out something unique.”
Kini has come a long way since he started his business 12 years ago working out his garage in Kapolei. From his studio in Hālawa, he and his talented team work tirelessly to create enduring designs and have even bigger dreams for the future of the business.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is committed to ensuring Native Hawaiians and their ‘ohana have access to resources to assist them in pursuing their financial goals. Through caring, supportive growth, their lending program can provide Native Hawaiians with an improved sense of economic well-being.
To learn more about OHA’s Mālama Loan program, visit loans.oha.org.
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