About Us
JALENE KANANI BELL - President & Creative Director
A natural born creative, textile designer Jalene Kanani began her creative expression through hula, beginning at the age of 3, and within 3 years she was a regular keiki performer in Don Ho’s iconic Waikīkī show. As a teenager she became a governor’s model who traveled the United States promoting Hawaiʻi as well as an international hula dancer for Tihati Productions. Her experience as a hula dancer provided a steadfast foundation to ignite her cultural curiosities while defining herself as an ambassador of aloha.
Creativity was not only encouraged but modeled for Jalene, whose mother owned and designed Hawaiian fashion label Wailani Originals: Hula Girl Creations,” a line of t-shirts and bags sold at Liberty House and McInerny in the early 1970s and became her first foray into design. Determined to develop her business acumen to complement her creative impulses, she earned a B.A. in Political Science which led her to a corporate job in furniture flooring and equipment supply. Working with textile manufacturers afforded her the unique opportunity to forge important relationships within the industry as well as realize the niche markets that had yet to be developed in Hawaiʻi and beyond. Her designs were well-received and she began licensing designs to international manufacturers such as Duralee and Durkan.
LORI HIEGER - Director of Business Development
Lori Hieger was born and raised on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. After graduating from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, she studied Political Science and Journalism, earning a BA from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. Through her career journey, Lori gained extensive and diverse experience in sales, operations, and management from multiple industries, working and living on both coasts of the mainland United States.
After a career pause to raise her two children, Lori and her husband returned home to Hawaiʻi in 2017. Joining the NOHO HOME team in 2019, Lori adds a seasoned approach to business development and operations. Her high energy, optimism, and focus on results is balanced with her Hawaiian heritage, values, and work ethic. Lori’s passion for connecting Hawaiian culture to living spaces and home design increases her value to the team.
Lori actively participates in the community, maintaining her Mākaha roots as a member of the Board of Directors for Hoa ʻĀina O Mākaha Farm. Additionally, she serves as a member of the Community Board at DreamHouse Ewa Beach Public Charter School. In their spare time, Lori and her husband volunteer for cultural, social, and environmental causes across the islands which support their children’s understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian culture, both traditional and modern.
JC HITZEMAN - Sales & Marketing Associate
Jaycinth Hitzeman (JC) is the youngest daughter of Jalene Kanani Bell. Like her sisters, she was also born and raised in Oahu, Hawaiʻi. She has since graduated with honors from Island Pacific Academy in 2016 and continues her education towards a Bachelorʻs Degree in Business Management through Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. JC joins the NOHO HOME team as a Sales & Marketing Associate.
She explains: