About the Brand
Kanoa—"the free one"—was born from a desire to break away from traditional forms and embrace the raw, textural beauty found in nature and self. Each collection is designed to challenge convention, inviting the wearer to discover boldness in unexpected beauty.
The debut collection features Nautical Knots, handcrafted from 100% recycled cotton rope—designed to feel both grounded and sculptural. Mindful material choices are central to Kanoa's ethos, with an ongoing commitment to upcycling and thoughtful sourcing across every collection.
Most of the shells and stones that will appear in future pieces are hand-foraged along the Southern California coastline. Pearls and other select elements are secondhand sourced, giving once-loved materials renewed life and personal reinterpretation through the wearer's story.
With care for coastal preservation, natural elements are never collected in bulk, nor taken from living organisms, ocean waters, or tide pools. Unused materials—aside from sea glass and tile—are thoughtfully returned to nature.
Kanoa is an evolving exploration of materials, meaning, and form. Collections shift like tides, each offering a new perspective—crafted to inspire freedom of expression and a sense of place.
To wear Kanoa is to embrace your own edge: untamed, effortless, and uniquely yours.
About Me
My creative journey spans two decades across branding, print, packaging, photography, retouching, environmental design, and content creation. After years of working within industry demands and corporate restraints, I reached a crossroads: I was ready to build something of my own. But what?
That journey began during a stay on a hydropowered farm in Hilo, Hawai'i—an experience that left a lasting imprint and sparked the idea of designing jewelry. It was there I made a spontaneous request to learn welding from the farm's groundskeeper—a retired veteran who also happened to have a unique earring for each day of the week.
That moment of opportunity, though, wouldn't have existed without the quiet generosity of the property's owner, who opened his home to us. He offered no photos or details ahead of time, only: "You're either going to love it or hate it. The land is not for everyone." We took a chance on the unknown. Although he has since passed, the roots of this journey will always trace back to him and his wife.
The name Kanoa honors that time and place. It's a reminder to create with openness, to explore the unknown, and to let each piece carry a sense of wild, unbound expression.
When I'm not immersed in beachcombing, metalsmithing, or exploring new techniques, you might find me behind a camera as the committee photographer for my local Rock & Mineral Club or in the lapidary shop cutting and shaping stones for future collections. I also participate in local beach cleanups as part of a personal and creative commitment to sustainability—and I encourage you to join one if the opportunity arises.
Hope to see you out there.