Hawaiian Candle & Bath Company: Taking a Slice of Aloha Home
After relocating from the Ukraine in 2008, Alina and Tim Quinata made Hawaii's the Big Island their home. Seeing travelers purchase Hawaiian souvenirs for their loved ones, but only having access to products imported from China at stores catering to tourists, prompted Alina and Tim to think about locally sourced products they could sell that best represented their new home, Hawaii.
Drawing inspiration from Hawaii's native plants, fruits, and aromas, they came up with a plan. The couple rented a small booth on the Big Island of Hawaii on Alii Drive in Kona, and started making their handmade candles. Their foray into candle making became a huge hit with locals and tourists alike. Six months later, they opened up their second location. Within a few years time, the Hawaiian Candle & Bath Company expanded their retail footprint in the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu.
Today, the couple has diversified their business and continues to operate Hawaiian Candle & Bath Company from their new headquarters located in Death Valley, Nevada while also running Death Valley's first and official rest stop in town where visitors can pick up snacks, local arts and crafts, as well as desert themed souvenirs made by Alina.
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