Journal

A family business established in 1932, it’s no surprise that Scott Hawaii prides itself on family values. Building a business with the people you love gives you the opportunity to spend more time with them, but it’s not your average family bonding. The most rewarding (as well as most difficult) part of having a family business is being able to work with your family. The Scotts don’t hold anything back, and have learned that great things can come out of a lot of emotion. If there’s one thing the Scotts learned in this business, it’s that family is with you through thick and thin. Scott Hawaii slippahs have stood the test of time because of the foundation that Elmer and Jean Scott created based on passion and hard work.



In Hawaii, the common flip-flops are referred to as “slippers” (pronounced “slippahs”). A direct line of descent can be traced from the Japanese zori sandal to the modern slipper that runs right up to the Honolulu cobbler shop of Elmer Scott.  As a sixth-generation shoemaker from Marblehead, Massachusetts, Elmer set off to explore new lands and new feet for his high-quality footwear. Elmer and his wife, Jean, traveled more than 6000 miles away to the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii in a time of only trains and steamships. Elmer’s abilities enabled him to open a shoe store with a focus on making steel-toed rubber boots for sugar-cane and pineapple-field workers.

During World War II, boot-making materials were in short supply, inspiring the Scott’s to refocus their services into the creation of “slippahs” for casual footwear. Elmer’s sandal was very different than the traditional flat zori, because he made different shoes for the left and right foot.  “Left and right was his tradition, so that’s how he made them - with a left and a right,” says his son, Steve Scott, who now with his own two sons run Scott Hawaii. Elmer is thought as one of the fathers and creators of modern slippers who put the Western spin on the Eastern zori. The first generation of slippahs hit the ground running and Hawaii greeted them with welcoming feet. This was back when 75-80% of slippers were made in Hawaii, and known for their top notch quality. Today, Scott Hawaii has stayed true to its quality slippahs and family values passed down from Elmer.

Michael and Kaione Scott’s decision to stay in the family business was an easy one. It was a great opportunity to move back to Hawaii, be their own bosses, and turn ideas into reality.  Currently 3.5 family members work at Scott Hawaii. No, not one of them is a midget, but Michael and Kaione’s mother comes in a few times a week to help out.  At their highest, they had 30 employees during the days they made their shoes in Hawaii. Today, with better technology and efficiencies, they are at 11 employees and embrace as much of the Hawaiian lifestyle as they can. Michael and Kaione have learned that there is no substitute for hard work. They continue to spread Aloha through their slippahs and embrace everything life hands them along the way!