A Line Of Island-themed Boxers
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John James will display his boxer shorts at the upcoming Made In Hawaii Festival - his line of boxers, that is.
“I believe they are the most comfortable boxers I’ve ever worn,” says James. And he should know, because he designed the fit.
“Underwear, in particular, is something people are very particular about because it is right next to your skin,” he adds. “I’m sure most people have a style and brand they like. Some people don’t really like these boxers, but I’ve had way more people tell me these are the most comfortable they’ve ever worn.”
His company’s name is SolidSurfHawaii. He produces several designs in a few options of colors, resulting in about 24 different boxers in sizes XXS for boys (size 6-8) all the way up to XXL for men (size 42 to 45 waist). Prints include things that reflect Hawaii such as florals, scenes of Diamond Head or postcards, as well as tapa print, ukuleles, underwater images and fish.
“It’s a very niche product,” admits James. “For visitors that come to Hawaii, they can wear it and it reminds them of some experience they had while they are here.”
The boxers are available online and in some stores across the state, including Island Keepsakes on Nuuanu Avenue.
James says this boxer business was not something he ever planned to do. It all started because he helped his mom, Mary, who passed away a few years ago, at craft fairs in Hilo with her line of patchwork stuffed animals. They were joking around with some fun and humorous ideas that would sell, and patchwork boxer shorts was one that made them laugh. When James, a UH-Hilo English major, had some time off from work in Hilo, he researched to see if anyone else was doing Hawaiian print boxer shorts. He found out that there was a possible opportunity, so he took apart his favorite boxer shorts and created his own pattern.
“This was started from a joke,” recalls James, who had originally started the production in his apartment. The business, which began in 2000, landed a wholesale account from Made In the Big Island Outlet in Kona. He got a booth at the Made In Hawaii Festival on Oahu and the boxers did well there, too.
Now a Kapahulu resident, he works full time in administration at Arcadia Retirement Residence, and his boxer business is a part-time gig. When he has some free time, he enjoys utilizing his creativity doing technical work at the theater, most recently Manoa Valley Theatre.
If customers have a large enough order, he can customize the elastic-knit waistband for celebrations or groups. He’s even done some custom boxers for a girl’s bat mitzvah, a coming-ofage celebration for Jewish girls around the age of 12. He’s done custom orders for sailing clubs and even wedding parties.
His future goals include increasing his visibility on the web and finding additional stores to carry his product.
He’ll be at booth number 287 at the Made In Hawaii Festival at Neal Blaisdell Center Aug. 15 to 17 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call 808-937-8970, 866-440-6969, or log onto www.hawaiianboxershorts.com.
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