Saturday Briefing

By Nancy Daniels

A wonderful new resort boutique has opened at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach, which is sure to become a favorite with guests and visitors to the hotel. On Wednesday, April 15, Moonbow Tropics held a blessing to mark the opening of their brand new flagship Waikiki store.

Bill Comstock, Mel Kaneshige, Kimberly Agas, Dr. Chuck Kelley, Barbara Campbell, Moonbow Owner Alan Jay and son Austin Jay, Moonbow Owner Greg Jay, and Store Manager Vina Sisomvang

Outrigger’s Manager of Cultural Experiences, Ka‘ipo Ho, officiated over the Hawaiian blessing and the ceremonial untying of the maile lei. Owners Alan and Greg Jay were joined by Alan’s son Austin in the untying of the lei. Following the blessing, the doors were opened, and a crowd of eager customers that included hotel guests, Outrigger executives and staff, and other invited VIPs were the first to enjoy this new shopping emporium. By the way, General Manager Bill Comstock was the store’s first official customer with his purchase of a Kahala organic cotton aloha shirt!

Moonbow Tropics is a beautiful store that specializes in upscale, comfortable, and stylish resort wear in fabrics ranging from the finest silks and linens, to Egyptian cotton and spun rayons. There are top aloha wear labels such as Tommy Bahama, Kahala, and Tori Richard. The inventory also includes the latest and newest in cutting edge designer lines such as Nic & Zoe, XCVI, and Toes on the Nose on its racks, along with hand-painted Christmas ornaments, and custom jewelry.

In addition to the exquisitely-designed store and quality merchandise, however, there is a more intangible quality that permeates the space — a feeling of welcome and aloha very similar to our own Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a. It’s easy to understand why, when you learn that, like Outrigger, Moonbow Tropics is family-owned and operated. As a matter of fact, every member of the Jay family is involved in some way with the business. Alan is President, and brother Greg is Vice President. Parents Stephen and Lynn handle the business’ books. Mom and sister Cyndi design and make all of the jewelry that is sold in the store, and Cyndi’s husband, Stephen, is a talented artist who makes all of the store’s custom fixtures from Hawaiian wood. Cathy, Greg’s fiancée, also participates in the business. An extension of the ‘ohana is the excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable staff, all creating an unsurpassed shopping experience.

Moonbow Tropics, a winner of the Governor’s Award for “Best Specialty Store in Hawaii,” is the perfect fit at the newly-transformed Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Help spread the word to your friends and family, and make sure to stop by the next time you are at the hotel.