AUTHENTICITY THROUGH GENERATIONS: A Labor of Love and Culture

As the founder of Opihi Maui, Kiani Yasak creates hand-crafted artisanal home products, each piece infused with authenticity, history, and aloha.

Over the years, Opihi Maui has offered a variety of handmade items, including planter hangers, birdhouses, jewelry, ornaments, magnets, and even baby onesies. However, it was Kiani’s signature hand-painted wooden signs that truly defined her company and captivated her customers.

Each of Kiani’s wooden signs carries an important message, sharing olelo Hawai‘i in a way that educates, inspires, and brightens someone’s day. The demand for her pieces has only grown, reflecting a deep appreciation for both the artistry and the cultural significance embedded in her work.

Opihi Maui began in 2012 when Kiani, inspired by her father’s construction work, decided to repurpose scrap wood. With an abundance of paint and wood at her disposal, she transformed discarded materials into meaningful gifts for family and friends. Her work quickly gained traction through “coconut wireless,” and before she knew it, orders were pouring in.

What started as a simple passion project evolved into a thriving business that now includes wholesale and custom orders for events and personal requests. Despite the business's growth, Kiani remains committed to her original vision—creating meaningful, one-of-a-kind pieces that preserve and promote Hawaiian culture.

Kiani’s commitment to sustainability is a cornerstone of Opihi Maui. She meticulously preps, cuts, and sizes each piece of repurposed wood, embracing the natural variations that make every sign unique. Though mass production could have been an easier route, she chose to uphold the integrity of her work, refusing to sacrifice authenticity for profit. Every brushstroke is intentional, every color carefully chosen, and every sign a labor of love.

One of the pivotal events in Opihi Maui’s journey has been the Made in Maui County Festival, which Kiani and her family have in participated in for more than a decade. This event has not only provided her with a platform to showcase her work but also tested her resilience as a business owner. Through challenges and triumphs, she has strengthened her craft, solidified her brand, and deepened her connection to the community. In fact, this was how we at Shop YWCA met Kiani and learned about her business!

In addition to running Opihi Maui, Kiani is also a full-time teacher at Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kalama, the Hawaiian language immersion program at Kalama Intermediate. Her students and the stories that unfold in her classroom serve as a constant source of inspiration for her artistry. Surrounded daily by Hawaiian culture, she carries its wisdom and beauty into her work, ensuring that the language and values of her ancestors continue to thrive.

As a mother, Kiani shares the challenge of balancing parenthood with running a small business. The demands of handcrafting each wooden sign require patience and dedication, and at times, the journey feels overwhelming. Yet, in the quiet moments spent with her child, she is reminded of why she chose this path—to keep olelo Hawai‘i alive, to uphold the values of patience and authenticity, and to pass down the traditions of her family.

Art runs deep in Kiani’s lineage, tracing back to her grandmother, an accomplished oil painter. Now, as she carves her own legacy, she hopes to one day pass on her skills and lessons to her child, just as they were passed down to her.

At its core, Opihi Maui is more than just a business—it is a reflection of Kiani’s devotion to culture, community, and craftsmanship. Each hand-painted sign carries a story, a lesson, and a touch of aloha, making it a cherished piece in homes near and far. Through her artistry, Kiani continues to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire future generations to embrace the beauty and wisdom of Hawaiian culture.

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