Island Slipper

Island Slipper is a Hawaiian footwear brand that has made sandals on O'ahu since 1946. It is known for handmade leather and suede thong sandals produced in its own factory in Hawaii.

What is Island Slipper?

Island Slipper is a Hawaiian footwear brand that has made sandals on O'ahu since 1946. It is known for handmade leather and suede thong sandals and is one of the longest-running sandal producers in Hawaii.

History

The company was started by Takeo Nagahata, a Japanese immigrant to Hawaii, as a small family operation. His son Edward Motonaga later used his prototypes to set up a factory, and John Carpenter became president in 1986.

Products and positioning

The brand handles design and production in Hawaii, without mass-production lines. Skilled artisans make nearly every pair by hand, using leather sourced from the US mainland and traditional Hawaiian print fabrics.

• Classic leather and suede thong sandals with cushioned footbeds
• Women's wedge styles
• Beach Town, Mokulua and Made in USA lines
• A Global line of EVA sandals and clogs made abroad

Distribution

Island Slipper operates a factory in Pearl City with a bookable Factory Shop, a store in Waikiki and an online shop. It has also worked with fashion partners, including special-order versions for Journal Standard in Japan and a 2026 collaboration sandal with New York label Noah featuring hand-braided British leather.

Why it matters

While much of the sandal industry has moved offshore to synthetic materials, Island Slipper has kept leather craftsmanship and local production, making provenance central to its appeal.

Frequently asked questions

Where are Island Slipper sandals made?

Island Slipper designs and makes its core sandals by hand at its factory in Pearl City on O'ahu, Hawaii.

Who founded Island Slipper?

Island Slipper was started in 1946 by Takeo Nagahata, a Japanese immigrant to Hawaii, as a small family business.

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