The Life in Business: Aloha Kona Kids
Winonna Tina Cerezo was pregnant with their fifth child when Aloha Kona Kids was born. The oldest of three siblings that today share in the store’s ownership, she and her husband, Eric, (a Hawai‘i County Police Officer who passed away five years ago) wanted the best for their baby boy,, Winonna says. “So we decided to open a baby boutique that would bring the latest and greatest baby products to the Big Island.”
With some research, passion and an “amazing support system,” the Tina kids—Winonna Tina Cerezo, Kahea Tina Soberano and Pilipo Tina— opened Aloha Kona Kids. With eight babies as inspiration (and still growing) the store continues to grow, too.
At first the family business had a small kiosk at Ali‘i Gardens, then they opened their first store at the Kona International Market in 2006. Two years later, Aloha Kona Kids expanded and moved to the brand new Kona Commons.
They have adjusted to the ups and downs of the economy over the past few years, says Winonna. “ We have been blessed with amazing customers that have shopped with us from the day we opened.”
Our market is “from birth to surf,” she said. “We carry everything from prenatal to elementary-school-age products. Belly casts and journals, cribs and nursery furniture, strollers and carseats, nap mats and toddler beds—we have everything for your growing keiki.”
The Tina siblings were born and raised on the Big Island. All attended Kamehameha Schools on O’ahu and returned to Kona. Kahea now lives on O’ahu with her husband and three children and manages the Aloha Kona Kids rental program from home.
“We also have expanded our business to include quality baby products for rental,” says Kahea. “We provide almost anything our guests would need while on vacation to the Big Island. Highchairs, cribs, strollers, children’s bikes, beach tents, toddler beds. We also hold informational classes and offer baby registry and personal shopping.”
Aloha Kona Kids
Kona Commons, 74-5450 Makala Blvd, E107, Kailua-Kona
808.854.5369
Alohakonakidsllc@hotmail.com
www.alohakonakids.com
