Meet Owner & CCO Erin Kanno Uehara of Choco Le`a

2022 has definitely been the year of epic collaborations for Dolkii! Back in May, we had the honor of getting to create two branded tees for Mānoa-based chocolate shop Choco Le'a! Ever tried a Choco Le'a truffle? Well if you haven't and you're based on O'ahu then run (don't walk) to this amazing shop owned by local girl Erin Kanno Uehara. All of their chocolates are made from scratch in house, and throughout the year they offer season assortment of flavors that compliment their signature chocolates pieces perfectly!

You can purchase their Brown Choco Le'a Tee or their Grey PEACE Tee here. Every tee purchase comes with a free truffle!

NAME: Erin Kanno Uehara
HOMETOWN: Mililani, HI
BUSINESS NAME: Choco le`a
BUSINESS WEBSITE: www.chocolea.com
BUSINESS IG: @chocoleahawaii

WHAT ARE 3 FACTS ABOUT YOU THAT YOU'D LOVE OUR READERS TO KNOW?

1. I am a local girl, born and raised in Hawaiʻi, with a big dream to...NOT open a chocolate shop! It was never my plan to open a chocolate shop. My dream was to help make this world a better place by connecting with people and investing in relationships. It just so happens that my obedience to take steps of faith led her to find a long-lost family member who taught her how to make chocolates.
2. I am a wife and mother of a 7-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son, I love to spend her time with people. I credit my growing local business to my superstar team (chocolate family), the support of her family & friends, the community (chocolate friends), & God.
3. I am the owner and CCO (chocolate connections officer) for Choco le`a, and author, blogger, motivational speaker, active volunteer in my community and church, and is affectionately known as “your chocolate friend.”

HOW DID CHOCO LE'A GET STARTED? 
Fate. I met my Uncle Colins & Joan Kawai accidentally over chocolates. They learned the craft and after 12 years of doing it in their home, they taught it to me and my husband, Chris.

WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE ALL THE DIFFERENT CHOCOLATES YOU OFFER, ESPECIALLY SOME OF THE SMALL BUSINESS COLLABORATIONS YOU DO (IE: THE MATCHA BAR WITH DAILY WHISK MATCHA!). WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION FOR NEW CHOCOLATE IDEAS COME FROM? 

It comes from our chocolate friends! Our people tell us what they love, other businesses they love to support, upcoming life celebrations, etc and we try to be a part of it to help them connect with others they care about and sweeten relationships.

FOR OUR READERS JUST DISCOVERING YOUR PRODUCTS, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BEST-SELLERS? 
Our Dark Chocolate Truffles for sure. You can't go wrong with our signature line of truffles. It's just about which size you prefer - 2pc / 4pc / 9pc / 18pc

OKAY, ANYONE WHO FOLLOWS YOU ON IG AND WATCHES YOUR REELS KNOW YOU HAVE MAD DANCE SKILLS!! WE'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW.. ARE YOU A FORMER DANCER, OR JUST NATURALLY LOVE DANCING?! 
LOL I was a former dancer and my business prior to Choco le`a was as a dance educator/choreographer. But yes, I just love dancing!

WHO ARE THE WOMEN YOU LOOK UP TO IN LIFE? 
My mom and older sister for sure. There are so many, but it all started at home for me.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DOLKII TEE OR ITEM FROM OUR SHOP?
Yes for sure! I love my cheery yellow Wahine shirt and my "stay stoked" rainbow tee and NOW, our very own custom Dolkii shirts. The dark brown is so rich and bold with our mission statement on the back and the soft gray with our bird and the message of "peace" is fun for every day wear!