Impact

<<An Experiment>>

At United Islands, we work every day to create high-quality timeless gear made for Hawaiʻi's unique tropical conditions and island lifestyle.  We're incredibly proud of the things we make, but at the end of the day they are a means to an end.

You see, United Islands is as an experiment.  Our founder, Eric, spent the better part of a decade in New York working with the fashion industry there (learn more about Eric), creating strategic programs to help ensure New York maintains its position as a worldwide fashion capitol.  Through that work with countless fashion brands and seeing the good and the bad, he formed his own opinions on the industry.  Ultimately, he asked himself: if I were to build a brand, what would it look like?  What would it stand for?

United Islands is the answer to that question.  Just as he worked to help make a better New York, he launched United Islands with the idea of doing what he can to help make a better Hawai‘i.

As we set out on our journey, we have 3 main ways in which we'll be focused on having an impact.  As with any plan, that could change or be tweaked as we go, but these are the things that felt right in our gut.

<<Donating Towards Environmental & Cultural Causes>> 

Hawaiʻi is a place like no other.  Much of its specialness stems from its unique environment and culture.

From a giving standpoint, 100% of profits from our signature Hawaiian RH Shirt go to local non-profit(s).

Yet, the impact here isn't just about donations.  Our concern for the environment is also why we focus on quality (so our clothing lasts for years), only do limited runs of product (so 100% of what is made makes its way to a loving home rather than a discount rack then, ultimately, a landfill), source fabrics from respected suppliers (so you know there was care and consideration in the way our fabrics were made), and employ non-wasteful manufacturing processes (so the actual making of the garment has less environmental impact).  It's also why our packaging is minimal and avoids plastics.

Of course, we're not perfect, ourselves, but you can see we really do care about these issues and try to go about things in a conscientious way.

<<Supporting Jobs & Local Economy>> 

You know what else contributes to the uniqueness of Hawaiʻi?  Its locally owned businesses.  Look around...it's the local crack seed store, coffee shop, or shave ice spot that give a neighborhood its character.  And larger locally owned businesses, like Zippy's, City Mill, Foodland, contribute to that sense of place as well.

And guess what?  They're good for our economy!  Not only are they more attuned to local needs, the money generated from these businesses tends to stay in the islands, leading to follow-on spending & economic activity, rather than being siphoned off and sent to corporate HQ located elsewhere.

Yet, these local businesses face an uphill battle with smaller economies of scale & higher costs of doing business.  The deck is definitely stacked against them.  That's why we've made a commitment to work with local partners when possible.  We canʻt always do it (for example, on our Hawaiian RH Shirt, our embroidery comes from New York, our fabric from Italy, our labels from Hong Kong), but we do what we can when we can (that same shirt was designed, patterned, graded, cut & sewn all here in Hawaiʻi).

<<Creating A Platform To Spread Aloha>>

Sometimes, there is truth in advertising.  Hawaiʻi has been called the "Land of Aloha" and that spirit of giving, compassion, empathy & love is deeply embedded within the culture here.

And we're trying to build a company in line with those values.  Not only in terms of living and operating in that way, but also through actively creating channels for more aloha to be brought into this world.

One example of this would be what we're doing with postcards.  We're including a free postcard along with your purchase...postage included.  No, it's not a marketing gimmick. You won’t find our logo splashed across it.  Or a promo code to get you to buy more stuff. And, no, it doesn't look like a typical one you could get from Long's or ABC.

Our plan is to create postcards showing the people of Hawai‘i shot by Hawai‘i-based photographers (note: due to COVID-19 and restrictions on gathering, our first postcard is not new photography, but a collage of old yearbook photos of students wearing the original Hawaiian RH Shirt in 1930s & 40s).  What better way to capture the aloha spirit than seeing the people of Hawai‘i through the eyes of the people who live here?

Just one more way of sharing aloha with you, which you can then share with a friend or family.