As a former collegiate swimmer and lifelong ocean lover, I’ve spent more hours in the water than I can count. From grinding through endless training sets in the pool to chasing surf sessions in Hawaii, water has always been home. Through it all, I faced the same challenge, finding swimwear that could keep up. On one side, there were competition suits: engineered for speed, but restrictive and often prohibitively expensive. On the other, casual swimwear: comfortable and fashionable, but not designed to stay put when it really mattered. I wanted something in between, a suit that performed in athletics, yet felt effortless to wear.

That vision became Hapa. As someone who is half Japanese and half American, the word Hapa (“half” in Hawaiian) resonates deeply. It reflects my identity, a blend of cultures, perspectives, and values, and now, it reflects my brand: where function and fashion meet in perfect harmony. Hapa Swimwear is designed by a swimmer, for athletes and water women who demand more from their suits. Every piece is built to move with you, whether you're pushing through a tough pool set, paddling out for waves, or simply flowing through a day in and out of the ocean.

For us, water isn’t just a place to be, it’s a way of life, and your swimwear should be made for it.