PHOTO BY KATHY AND KENJI CROMAN
“I’ve always loved jewelry,” says O‘ahu’s Kaia Sage Jewelry (kaiasage.com) owner and designer Kathy Croman. “Years ago, I began jewelry-making as a hobby and enjoyed it so much. It’s very meditative for me.” During the pandemic, she began to post images of pieces she would make for herself on Instagram. “My friends were constantly asking to buy them,” she explains. “Before you know it, I had orders all over my bedroom!” Named after her daughter, Kaia Sage, Croman’s jewelry encompasses her love of Hawai‘i living. “My pearls go with the natural elements of Hawai‘i,” she says. “The pearls that I use are all in their natural form, so they have this beautiful, irregular shape and look to them, which I love. I get a lot of my inspiration from island beauty, whether it be from nature or all the beautiful women I see.” This year, visitors can shop her line at the Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection boutique. “My classic baroque pearl bangles—this is what ultimately got me started—is a cult favorite,” she says. “You can mix it in with other bangles or wear a stack.” Other favorites include the micro pearl necklace, worn alone or layered, and the keshi chandelier earrings. “Wear them with just a plain white tank and jeans or dress it up for a black-tie event,” she suggests. “I love how my pieces are so versatile for either layering, casual look or a dressy night out.”
Photography by:
