Pono Paws pops into business in Kaka‘ako

By Kawena Lei Carvalho-Mattos

in Kaka‘ako closed its doors abruptly at the end of 2017, Adrienne Lee and other pet parents were suddenly left without a place to house their pets. These pet parents were left scrambling to find a place to take their pups during the day, and a team of loving dog caregivers were displaced.

“We didn’t know where to take our dogs, especially after they already bonded with the staff at the daycare,” Lee said. “So we thought, ‘What if we were to open our own business and reunite everyone again?‘”

After an 11-month process of business planning, preparation and listening to feedback from other dog owners and pet-industry business owners, Pono Paws opened its doors on November 5, 2018 in downtown Kaka‘ako, and reunited some of the beloved former staff members from the old daycare who had joined the new Pono Paws team.

“We wanted to create a positive space for everyone,” Lee said about her vision for Pono Paws, “one that meets the needs of our clients and treats our employees and the dogs that we care for.”

As a part of its efforts to grow their community Pono Paws hosted an open house and pop-up shopping event.

Photos: Kawena Carvalho-Mattos