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Brand We Love: OluKai Footwear

OluKai Footwear NZ – Hawaiian-Inspired Shoes, Sandals & Jandals

If you spend a lot of time around the ocean, you quickly learn that good footwear needs to do more than simply look good.

OluKai was created with exactly that kind of lifestyle in mind. Inspired by Hawai‘i and life around the water, the brand combines comfort, craftsmanship and functional design to create footwear suited to everything from beach days and boating to travel and everyday wear.

Since its beginnings in 2005, OluKai has developed a loyal following for its distinctive range of shoes, sandals and jandals, with comfort at the centre of its footwear design.

At FlowState Surf + Sport, we're proud to offer a growing selection of OluKai footwear in New Zealand, including men's and women's OluKai shoes, sandals and jandals designed for comfortable everyday life in and around the water.

What Is OluKai?

OluKai is a premium footwear brand inspired by the Hawaiian Islands and the ocean lifestyle that surrounds them.

The original idea behind the brand was to create footwear combining the strength and durability required by people who live around the water with comfort, quality craftsmanship and timeless island-inspired styling.

That philosophy makes OluKai particularly relevant to the New Zealand lifestyle.

Whether you're heading to the beach, walking the coastline, travelling, boating, paddleboarding or simply looking for comfortable everyday footwear, OluKai creates shoes and sandals designed to move easily between different environments.

The Story Behind OluKai

OluKai's story began in 2005 with the goal of creating quality footwear for people who live and play by the water.

Hawai‘i has remained a major influence on the brand ever since.

OluKai describes its core values as ‘Ohana, Aloha and Quality, with those ideas influencing both the design of its footwear and the wider philosophy behind the company.

You'll also notice that many OluKai products have Hawaiian names.

Names such as Ohana, Nohea Moku and Ulele aren't simply product codes. OluKai uses Hawaiian words throughout its footwear range as part of the storytelling behind individual designs.

Why Is OluKai Footwear So Comfortable?

Comfort is probably the feature most closely associated with OluKai footwear.

At the heart of the brand's footwear design is an anatomical footbed shaped to support and position the foot naturally.

Rather than relying on a completely flat footbed, OluKai designs its footwear around the natural shape and movement of the foot.

Depending on the model, features can include:

Anatomically shaped footbeds
Contoured support
Deep heel cups
Cushioned midsoles
Comfortable toe posts
Breathable materials
Quick-drying construction
Non-marking rubber outsoles
Wet-surface traction
Removable and washable footbeds on selected shoes

The exact construction varies between models, but the emphasis on comfort runs throughout the OluKai range.

OluKai Jandals NZ

For New Zealanders, one of the most recognisable parts of the OluKai range is its jandals.

While they're generally called flip-flops in the United States, jandals is the term most Kiwi customers are likely to use when searching for this style of footwear.

That's why at FlowState we think of them as exactly that — premium jandals designed for people who spend plenty of time around the beach and outdoors.

Unlike basic flat jandals, OluKai models typically feature contoured footbeds designed to provide cushioning and support for longer periods of wear.

OluKai Ohana Jandals

Perhaps the best-known model in the OluKai range is the OluKai Ohana Jandal.

Ohana means family, and the model has become one of OluKai's signature designs.

The Ohana combines a water-resistant synthetic strap with quick-drying lining and a contoured anatomical footbed designed for all-day comfort.

A non-marking rubber outsole provides additional grip, making the Ohana well suited to beach days, coastal walks, travel and everyday summer wear.

FlowState stocks Men's OluKai Ohana Jandals and Women's OluKai Ohana Jandals in a range of colours.

If you're looking for OluKai jandals in New Zealand, the Ohana is a great place to start.

OluKai Ulele Men's Jandals

For men looking for another lightweight option, the OluKai Ulele Men's Jandal offers a more athletic take on the traditional jandal.

The Ulele is designed for versatility, making it suitable for beach days, travel and everyday casual wear.

It's another good example of OluKai taking a simple piece of footwear and adding the comfort and support the brand is known for.

OluKai Women's Jandals & Sandals

OluKai also produces an extensive range of women's jandals and sandals, ranging from everyday beach footwear to more refined leather and lifestyle designs.

At FlowState, our women's OluKai range can include models such as:

This makes it possible to choose an OluKai style depending on whether you're looking for something primarily for the beach, travel, walking or everyday casual wear.

OluKai Shoes NZ

OluKai isn't just about jandals.

The brand also produces an extensive collection of casual shoes, boat shoes and slip-on footwear designed around the same focus on comfort and life around the water.

For New Zealand customers, these can be particularly useful for people wanting footwear that transitions easily between the beach, boat, café and everyday life.

OluKai Nohea Moku

The OluKai Nohea Moku Men's Boat Shoe is one of the best examples of OluKai's water-focused footwear philosophy.

Designed as a modern interpretation of the traditional boat shoe, the Nohea Moku uses breathable mesh, quick-drying materials and water drainage ports to create a shoe suited to life around the water.

It also incorporates OluKai's Drop-In Heel® design.

This allows the heel to be worn normally as a shoe or folded down so the Nohea Moku can be worn more like a slide.

Other features include:

No-tie elastic laces
Breathable mesh construction
Water drainage ports
Quick-drying materials
Anatomical footbed
Removable and washable footbed
Non-marking rubber outsole
Wet-surface traction

That versatility makes the Nohea Moku particularly useful for boating, paddleboarding, beach trips, travelling and everyday casual wear.

OluKai Women's Shoes

Women looking for the same combination of comfort and casual styling also have several options.

The OluKai Pehuea Women's Slip-On Shoe is a versatile everyday option designed around easy wear and comfort.

Other women's OluKai footwear can include models such as the Pehuea Li and Kilea, giving you options ranging from relaxed slip-ons to more traditional casual shoes.

OluKai Footwear for Life Around the Water

One of the reasons OluKai fits naturally into the FlowState range is that its footwear isn't designed purely for fashion.

Many OluKai styles are designed specifically around life in and around the water.

Depending on the model, that can mean:

Water-resistant materials
Quick-drying fabrics
Water drainage
Wet-surface traction
Non-marking soles
Barefoot-friendly construction
Breathable uppers

These features make selected OluKai footwear particularly useful for:

Beach days
Surf trips
Stand up paddleboarding
Boating
Sailing
Fishing
Coastal walking
Travel
Everyday summer wear

OluKai for Surf Trips & Travel

Good travel footwear needs to be comfortable, versatile and easy to wear.

That's another area where OluKai makes sense.

A pair of Ohana or Ulele jandals takes care of beach days and warm-weather travel, while a shoe such as the Nohea Moku gives you more protection without losing the relaxed feel of casual footwear.

Having footwear that can cover several different situations also means you can pack less — particularly useful when you're trying to fit surf gear and everything else into the same travel bag.

Men's OluKai Footwear

The Men's OluKai footwear range includes options for everything from summer beach days to boating and everyday casual wear.

Popular styles include:

Ohana Jandals
Ulele Jandals
Nohea Moku Shoes
Moku Pae Shoes
Nalu Slides
Casual lifestyle shoes

If comfort is your priority, OluKai's anatomical footbeds make the range particularly worth considering for footwear you're going to wear for extended periods.

Women's OluKai Footwear

The Women's OluKai footwear range combines the same focus on comfort with a broad selection of styles and colours.

Depending on the season, the range can include:

Ohana Jandals
Puawe Jandals
Honu Jandals
Southshore Jandals
Pehuea Slip-On Shoes
Pehuea Li Shoes
Kilea Shoes

Whether you're looking for everyday jandals, comfortable travel footwear or casual shoes, there are options across the OluKai women's range.

Why Buy OluKai in New Zealand?

Buying OluKai footwear in New Zealand through a local retailer makes choosing the right style and size easier.

At FlowState Surf + Sport, we stock a growing selection of men's and women's OluKai footwear, with local customer service and NZD pricing.

More importantly, OluKai fits naturally with the lifestyle our store is built around.

We're surfers, paddlers and people who spend a lot of time around the coast. Footwear that's comfortable at the beach, on the boat, around town or while travelling simply makes sense.

Choosing the Right OluKai Footwear

The best OluKai model for you depends on where you intend to wear it.

For Beach & Summer

Consider:

Ohana Jandals
Ulele Jandals
Puawe Jandals
Honu Jandals

For Boating & Around the Water

Look at:

Nohea Moku
Moku Pae
Water-ready OluKai shoes
Non-marking outsole styles

For Travel

Consider:

Ohana
Ulele
Nohea Moku
Pehuea
Lightweight slip-on shoes

For Everyday Wear

Look at:

Pehuea
Nohea Moku
Moku Pae
OluKai casual shoes
Ohana or Ulele jandals during warmer weather

Frequently Asked Questions About OluKai

Where is OluKai from?

OluKai began in 2005 and is a footwear brand inspired by Hawai‘i and the lifestyle of people who live and play around the water.

Why are OluKai shoes and jandals comfortable?

OluKai designs its footwear around anatomically shaped footbeds intended to support and naturally position the foot. Depending on the model, additional cushioning, heel support and contoured footbeds provide further comfort.

Are OluKai jandals good for walking?

OluKai jandals use contoured anatomical footbeds rather than the completely flat construction found on many basic jandals. This can make them a comfortable choice for everyday wear and walking, although the ideal footwear will depend on the distance, terrain and individual wearer.

Can OluKai footwear get wet?

Many OluKai models are specifically designed for use around water and incorporate water-resistant or quick-drying materials. However, materials vary between models, so always check the specifications of the individual shoe or sandal.

What are the most popular OluKai jandals?

The OluKai Ohana is one of the brand's signature jandal designs and is available in both men's and women's styles. The Ulele is another popular option for men, while the women's range includes styles such as Ohana, Puawe and Honu.

What is the OluKai Drop-In Heel?

OluKai's Drop-In Heel® is a design found on selected shoes that allows the heel section to be folded down, converting the footwear from a conventional shoe into an easy slip-on style.

Where can I buy OluKai in New Zealand?

You can shop a range of OluKai footwear in New Zealand at FlowState Surf + Sport, including men's and women's jandals, sandals and shoes.

Shop OluKai Footwear NZ at FlowState Surf + Sport

Looking for OluKai footwear in New Zealand?

Shop the full OluKai collection at FlowState Surf + Sport and discover men's and women's shoes, sandals and premium jandals inspired by life around the ocean.

From the iconic OluKai Ohana Jandals to the water-ready OluKai Nohea Moku, our OluKai range is selected for people who value comfort, quality and footwear that fits naturally into an active coastal lifestyle.

Whether you're heading to the beach, getting on the water, travelling or simply looking for seriously comfortable everyday footwear, OluKai is designed to make every step a little better.

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