By Theran Galisa | Staff Writer

During times such as these, it is important to show your love and support to all of the small, locally owned businesses here on Oʻahu. Countless beloved local shops and businesses have had to close due to Covid-19. These small companies don’t have the ability to be able to handle the brunt of these effects. Giant corporations such as Costco and Apple possess the power to be able to financially survive.

But locally owned businesses all share a passion not just for the products they sell, but for the customers who support them. They treat customers as if they were part of their family, with warm welcomes and strong relationships. To them, customers aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet, they are individuals all with unique personalities and traits. They look at you as a person, not just as a sale to be made. For this reason, I wanted to share five locally owned businesses that you should support.

Sweet Enemy Clothing finds it important to create meaning behind every clothing release. (Photo courtesy of Bronson Barretto)

1. Sweet Enemy Clothing
2009 S. King St., Honolulu
Website: sweetenemyclothing.com
Instagram: @sweetenemyclothing

Located on King Street in Honolulu next to Mojo’s Barbershop, Sweet Enemy Clothing is your one stop shop for vintage clothes, goods, and accessories along with its very own streetwear brand. The owner, Drew Honda, prides himself on making sure his store environment is one that is always welcoming and friendly. From many personal visits I have made to this store I can tell you first hand how welcoming and nice Drew is to everyone who enters his store. Sweet Enemy Clothing was founded in 2013 in honor of his late grandmother named Rose. Many local athletes shop here; even the likes of Max Holloway has a couple of their goods. Its slogan is “Never Forget the Reason,” which serves as a reminder to never forget to do positive things in your life. If you’re lucky, you may even  be able to meet the store do, Rosie, which is the cutest and nicest dog you will ever meet in your entire life.

2. Harbors Vintage
1253 S. Beretania St., Honolulu
Instagram: @harborsvintage

The unique aspect of this store is the ability to trade out  clothes, shoes, or hats for money, in-store credit, or even another item in the store. Due to the growing niche people have for vintage clothing and hype streetwear, Harbors Vintage has seen a huge increase in popularity. From having a little store in Kaimukī that was hidden away in a building to having a big store front on South Beretania, it is easy to see the growing popularity of this store. You can find Harbors Vintage on Instagram @harborsvintage.

Andromediart’s hand crafts items like these Sailor Moon Trinket holders and other cute knick knacks to brighten up your room. (Photo courtesy of Andromeda King)

3. Andromediart
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/andromediart/                                    Instagram: @andromediart/@andromedia.resin

 You ever want to make your room seem a little bit less bland and depressing? Andromediart is a locally owned and operated business which specializes in hand-drawn paintings, stickers, and handmade fantasy resin accessories. Give your room a little bit of life with any of its handmade products. The owner, Andromeda King, has always had a passion for art which lead her to starting this business in 2019. Having multiple 5-star reviews on Etsy, it is easy to see just how passionate she is with her products. You can find Andromediart on Instagram @andromediart or if you’re looking for her fantasy resin accessories @andromedia.resin. 

4. OnlyTheGood
Website: https://onlythegoodclothing.com/
Instagram: @onlythegoodclothing

Having been started during the middle of a pandemic, OnlyTheGood is a homegrown clothing brand run by a Shidler College graduate Kevin Anderson. His background in photography has given him an edge in creating his own content. This brand specializes in minimalistic clothing that are printed using water-based ink as a renewal substitute to a regular harmful ink. He has also got his clothes inside a retail store inside Kāhala Mall called Surf Camp. Anderson wanted this brand to represent having positivity and optimism during any and all hard times, especially the ones we are in right now. 

5. llikoi Goods
Website: www.illikoi.com
Instagram: @illikoi.goods

Illikoi Goods is a locally owned business that specializes in the customization of hats and face masks, hand sewn and made from scratch. What makes Illikoi Goods special is how it re-purposes different materials into hats or face masks. For one hat they turned a Leonard’s Bakery canvas tote bag into a 5 panel cap. They also turned a Colt Brennan jersey into a 5 panel cap as well. All of their products get sold out nearly instantly, so if you want the next drop you’re going to have to be quick.