OluKai is open now; its grand opening party on Saturday, June 20 will donate all proceeds to the La Jolla Coastal Conservancy.
Bringing an “anywhere aloha” vibe to La Jolla, Hawaiian-inspired footwear brand OluKai has opened its first San Diego retail store at 7884 Girard Ave in The Village and will celebrate with a grand opening party from 2 to 5 pm Saturday, June 20.
The party will feature live music by La Jolla musician Zach Barnhorst, a fresh oyster bar, coconut cocktails and an exclusive gift with any footwear purchase.
OluKai will also donate 100% of net proceeds from June 20 sales to the La Jolla Coastal Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to the improvement and maintenance of shoreline parks, trails and open spaces in The Village.
Though this is OluKai’s first retail store in San Diego, the brand is no stranger to coastal living – or community involvement.
OluKai’s footwear sales began about 20 years ago with sandals “inspired by the Hawaiian experience,” said chief marketing officer Kerry Konrady, incorporating Hawaiians’ active beach lifestyles, heritage and history.
The brand expanded in 2009 to produce closed-toe shoes, with casual and active footwear including golf and trail shoes.
OluKai’s name is derived from two Hawaiian words: “Olu” meaning comfort and “Kai” meaning ocean, Konrady said, expressing a philosophy that already resonates in La Jolla (the footwear has previously been available at local stores including Ascot Shop, Mitch’s Surf Shop, Surf Diva and Bird Rock Surf); the new store will widen OluKai’s footprint.
“La Jolla is a natural fit” for the Hawaiian-based brand, he said, with a parallel “premium ocean lifestyle” that blends beauty and activity with ocean experiences.
Visitors to the new OluKai store will see the La Jolla location is modeled with the local sea caves, tide pools, shapes and colors in mind, Konrady said.
La Jolla is “a stunning place,” he added. “We wanted to ensure our store fit in.”
Aligned with the brand’s mission to sell “high quality, high integrity,” products, OluKai (part of Archipelago Companies, which also owns melin and Roark) aims itself to be a “high integrity business,” Konrady said.
Since its inception, OluKai and its Ama OluKai Foundation have endeavored to give back to Hawaiian communities through event sponsorships, lifeguard equipment donations, preservation projects and more.
The spirit of giving innate to OluKai’s operation extends into the communities served by a new store opening “to initiate that community involvement right out of the gate,” Konrady said.
Choosing La Jolla Coastal Conservancy to receive the proceeds from June 20 means giving back to a “vibrant and active” organization in the community, he said, one that already fits with OluKai’s brand values.
Conservation is “the language we speak,” he said. “It’s natural … to be able to support La Jolla Coastal Conservancy and their mission.”
