From Radiology to Runways | with Alexis Akiona
When her mom told her to study radiology, it sounded like a smart plan. Good pay, job security, a stable future. But for Alexis Akiona, stability never sparked joy. She traded X-rays for Aloha shirts, turned risk into runway, and built one of Hawaiʻi’s most recognizable local fashion brands: Lex Breezy Hawaiʻi.
When Alexis Akiona first enrolled in college, she thought her path was clear. Her mom had encouraged her to pursue radiology, a career that promised stability, security, and a solid paycheck.
“I did about a hundred hours of service for being a radiology tech,” she recalls. “When I started, I realized quick that this is a lot of work and I am just not happy doing it.”
That realization marked the beginning of a bold shift for Alexis, one that would take her from small-town Hilo to the forefront of Hawaiʻi’s fashion scene as the founder and designer of LexBreezy Hawaiʻi, now with stores at Prince Kūhiō Plaza (Hilo), Pearlridge Center, and Ala Moana Center (Honolulu), and a growing global audience. She was also selected to join the seventh cohort of Mana Up, a statewide accelerator helping Hawaiʻi-based products expand to global markets.
All of these accomplishments trace back to one defining trait: Alexis didn’t wait for opportunities, she created them.
From Hilo to Honolulu
Though born in Honolulu, Alexis spent much of her childhood in Hilo after her mother remarried. Life there shaped her sense of independence and drive. Coming from a really strict household, there were a lot of rules for her growing up.
“Maybe that’s where I started becoming a little bit more determined and trying to figure things out myself because I wasn’t able to do a lot.”
That spirit carried her through high school and right out of it.
The day she graduated from high school, she packed her bags and moved to Honolulu for school, ready to pursue the radiology degree that her mom wanted for her. A stable, high paying job.
“I found a place to rent. I got two, three jobs, ready to pursue my radiology degree that of course my mom wanted me to do, but I just packed my bags and I said, I want to do more.”
When “Safe” Isn’t Satisfying
Alexis’ early career zigzagged through jobs from Ross, Blazin’ Steaks, Macaroni Grill, and eventually, Farmer’s Market Hawaiʻi. There, she met creative director Keoni Peyton and stepped into the world of streetwear and storytelling. Selling shirts and hats was her first real lesson in branding, culture, and connection.
Farmer’s Market wasn’t just a store; it was a movement. People lined up for hours to buy their latest release. “It was a good time in my life,” she says. “There was a culture around Farmer’s Market that everybody loved.” Seeing the energy and community around the brand sparked something in her.
“I knew in my heart that I didn’t want to be a shop girl forever.”
Alexis offered to create a women’s line. But, when the answer came back no, she made one of the hardest choices of her life: to walk away. The brand was thriving, and she’d poured herself into helping build it. But she couldn’t ignore the pull to grow.
“I really had to dig deep inside and think about what my next step was going to be,” she says. “It was a challenging time… but I think I was just growing up and I was ready to start something of my own.”
That leap of faith led to the birth of LexBreezy Hawaiʻi, a brand that redefines contemporary aloha wear through authenticity and local identity.
Learn by Doing
Despite her business instincts, Alexis didn’t grow up sewing or designing. She taught herself everything from the ground up, later enrolling in Honolulu Community College’s Fashion Technology Program.
“I didn’t even know how to turn on a sewing machine,” she laughs. “But I loved that feeling of not knowing and having to figure things out.”
Her dedication to learning transformed her craft. She even watched all of her friends and classmates head to Coachella and EDC while she stayed behind to stay focused on school.
“All those times I said no, maybe they slowly started to add up and they slowly put me two, three years ahead in my career.”
Six days after graduating, she signed the lease on her first design studio in Kalihi. Within months, her collections hit runways, and the momentum hasn’t slowed since.
Giving Back and Moving Forward
Alexis’ journey has come full circle from being told to pick a “secure” path to creating one for others. Today, she’s not only an entrepreneur and designer but also a mentor and advocate. She has recently gifted Honolulu Community College the funds to cover 20 scholarships each year for students in fashion and cosmetology, a reflection of her belief that stability doesn’t come from playing it safe, but from betting on yourself.
Her story is proof that being proactive, even without guarantees, can open doors that didn’t exist before.
What we can steal
Take that first step and learn as you go.
You don’t have to know everything to start. Curiosity is enough.
Consistency compounds, showing up daily pays off.
Invest in yourself before expecting others to invest in you.
Being proactive means choosing growth over comfort.