Meet our Family!

Name: Kitiona Salanoa a.k.a The Soap Man

Job Role: Co-Owner, Co- Founder, and Mailelani Production Director

Day-to-Day Responsibilities: Kitiona is the heart and hands behind many of Mailelani’s beloved products. His day starts early, crafting each item with care and precision. From hand making soaps to demolding, cleaning, and wrapping them, Kitiona ensures that every product meets the high standards that Mailelani is known for. He also creates our luxurious body lotions, bottling and labeling each one by hand. His expertise extends to bottling and labeling our coconut oil, and he personally handcrafts our famous turmeric and lip balms.

But Kitiona's role doesn’t stop there. He also takes on the responsibility of maintaining the Mailelani property and grounds, ensuring everything is in perfect order. Always the handyman, Kitiona is constantly creating something new for the shop, home, or property, infusing his creativity into every corner of Mailelani. Beyond his work at Mailelani, Kitiona is dedicated to ensuring that his family and team are well taken care of, embodying the spirit of care and community that is at the heart of everything we do.

What do you enjoy the most about being part of Mailelani?"I wake up and I'm at work! Haha. I get to create a product that helps many people."

What is your favorite Mailelani product and why?"The Turmeric balm. It's my favorite product to make, and everyone loves it!"

Kitiona’s passion and dedication are evident in every product he creates, making him an integral part of the Mailelani team.

Sylvie Salanoa

Name: Sylvie SalanoaJob Role: Co-Owner & Co-Founder aka Boss Lady

Day-to-Day Responsibilities: We like to call Sylvie the “brain” or the ideas behind Mailelani. She is a dreamer and an innovator and the driving force behind the operations at Mailelani, expertly managing the business's administrative aspects. Her days are filled with communication, as she connects with suppliers, distributors, and resellers to ensure everything runs smoothly. But Sylvie's role goes far beyond paperwork. She takes great pride in welcoming and entertaining customers, often making new friends in the process.

As the manager of the Mailelani staff, Sylvie ensures that the team operates like a well-oiled machine, with everyone working together harmoniously. Quality is paramount at Mailelani, and Sylvie personally tests each product to ensure it meets their high standards. Her care doesn’t end with the business—Sylvie treats her staff like her own children (wink wink), providing a nurturing environment where everyone can thrive.

What do you enjoy the most about being part of Mailelani?"My favorite thing is that I am the boss, lol. But seriously, being able to create something that makes people happy, all the amazing people we meet, and the fact that every day at Mailelani is an adventure."

What is your favorite Mailelani product and why?"My absolute favorite is our coconut oil. I will never get tired of using it."

Sylvie’s passion for her work and her dedication to her team make her a beloved leader at Mailelani, ensuring that the company remains a place of creativity, warmth, and excellence.

Name: Tailani Salanoa-Chung

Job Role: Daughter / E-Commerce Manager

Day-to-Day Responsibilities: Though Tailani now lives overseas, she remains deeply involved in Mailelani's operations. Her day-to-day role has evolved, focusing primarily on managing the online store and taking care of clients in New Zealand. Tailani is always ready to assist with whatever needs to be done, whether it's through email, phone calls, or online tasks, ensuring that everything runs smoothly even from afar.

What do you enjoy the most about being part of Mailelani?"It's never boring! There's always something to do. Working for Mailelani has taught me that things don't always go as planned, but everything works out in the end. I also love that I get to work with family. Plus, hearing feedback from customers about how our products have transformed their skin is always super encouraging and reminds us why we do what we do."

What is your favorite Mailelani product and why?"My favorite product, currently, is the Resurface Scrub. I love it because I don't have to use it too often, but when I do, my skin feels new, younger, clean, and fresh! It's the BEST feeling."

Tailani’s adaptability and dedication to Mailelani, even from a distance, ensure that the business continues to thrive and grow. Her love for the brand and its products shines through in everything she does.

Name: Kezia Salanoa-Hooser

Job Role: Social Media Manager & Salesperson

Day-to-Day Responsibilities: Kezia plays a vital role in keeping Mailelani connected with its community and customers. As the Social Media Manager, she updates the brand's social feeds on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, ensuring that Mailelani’s online presence is vibrant and engaging. Most days, you'll find Kezia in the shop, tending to clients while multitasking on various online tasks, from creating content for marketing campaigns to handling customer inquiries.

On slower days, Kezia lends a hand with product filling and labeling, working closely with her dad. Once a month, she teams up with her sister to produce the Mailelani Skin facial range collection. She’s also the creative force behind the beautifully crafted gift packs that are available both for orders and in the gift shop. In addition, Kezia stays in close contact with Mailelani’s resellers, keeping them informed about new products, stock availability, and restocking needs. And, like many in a family business, she often finds herself running errands around town to keep everything flowing smoothly.

What do you enjoy the most about being part of Mailelani?"Other than being raised in the middle of it, what I love most are the connections we've made throughout the years. Samoa is so small, but because we are a family business, we’ve had so many opportunities come our way, like traveling for expos and meeting so many interesting people. I also love hearing feedback from people I know and don’t know about how Mailelani has helped with their skin issues. That always makes me super proud to be a part of my family's business. And of course, my family. We are all super close anyway, but it’s pretty great to be able to work alongside each other. Even though sometimes we can butt heads, it’s still the best!"

What is your favorite Mailelani product and why?"My favorite product will always be the Vanilla and Koko Samoa soap. I really can't use anything else, and if I do, I take a second shower with our soap, haha! Or else, I love, love the turmeric balm. It works for everything and feels great on my skin."

Kezia’s creativity, dedication, and deep connection to the family business make her an essential part of Mailelani. Her passion for the brand is evident in every aspect of her work, from social media to customer care.

Name: Shana Salanoa

Job Role: Princess of Mailelani & Content Creator

Day-to-Day Responsibilities: Shana, affectionately known as the "Princess of Mailelani," plays a versatile role in the family business. When she's in Samoa, Shana is always ready to help with whatever needs to be done. Whether it's running errands in town (her favorite because she loves to drive), assisting her dad with filling bottles and labeling, or manning the shop, Shana is an integral part of the daily operations.

Now living in Switzerland, Shana continues to contribute to Mailelani from afar by helping out with social media. Her creativity and love for the brand shine through in the content she creates, keeping the Mailelani spirit alive no matter where she is.

What do you enjoy the most about being part of Mailelani?"Working with family—we laugh a lot!"

What is your favorite Mailelani product and why?"My favorite is the Vanilla & Koko Samoa Coconut Oil. I use it every day."

Shana’s joyful spirit and strong connection to her family make her an invaluable member of the Mailelani team, bringing warmth and energy to everything she does.