Aloha and thank you for visiting my blog.

Over the years, many customers have asked about the meaning behind my name. Today, I’d love to share a little of my story — the journey that shaped who I am and the heart behind ShellsHawaii.

My first name is Janjira (จันทร์จิรา), and I was born on a full moon night (満月).

My dad is the first child, which made me the first grandchild in our family. When I was born, my uncle — a doctor who was deeply respected and loved by everyone in our village — chose my name.

He told my parents, “I will name her Janjira.”
And he shared his hope with them:

“One day, I hope she will become a doctor and help people, just as I do.”

The name Janjira (จันทร์จิรา) carries the meaning of the moon — gentle, calm, and enduring. It is often understood as a long-lasting moon (長く続く月), a quiet light that continues to shine steadily through time.

I have two younger sisters, and all three of us completed our college degrees — something made possible by my parents’ hard work, sacrifices, and their hope that education would lead us toward a better life.

Life then took an unexpected turn when I met my husband and moved to Hawaiʻi. That moment became a gentle shift — one that guided me onto a different path.

My uncle, who gave me my name, passed away from brain cancer when I was only eight years old. I often wish he were still here to see what I have accomplished in life.

The same is true for my father — everything to me, my strength, and my foundation. He passed away in 2021 after his own battle with cancer. Though they are no longer here, their love, hopes, and guidance continue to live within me.

I believe that when you do good things for others, good things will find their way back to you. I try to carry positive thoughts in my heart, even when life shifts in unexpected directions.

I am a fighter at heart — a strength I know comes from both my mother and my father. I believe hard work never harms anyone. If something doesn’t break you, it only makes you stronger.

Although my life followed a path different from what was once imagined, the meaning behind my name has never left me. I may not have become a doctor, but I believe there are many ways to care for people.

Today, I do so through my hands, my patience, and my creations. Each piece I make is created slowly, with intention and heart. Like the moon, my work is not loud — but it is steady, meaningful, and made to last.

I carry their dreams with me quietly, like the moon in the night sky — always present, always guiding me forward and thank you for supporting my journey and allowing my hand to continure creating pieces that carry light, meaning and tradition. 

– Janjira