Liane Onaga, BBA in marketing and BBA in management ’05 Mānoa

High school: Punahou
First pets: a Maltese dog and American tabby cat
Current pets: Brussels Griffon/Chihuahua Riley and Fox Terrier/Pomeranian Toby
Favorite Design: Love at First Bite, inspired by Riley. “When he was little he was a terror, but when I put a t-shirt on him, he became a well-behaved citizen.”
Sizing advice: Bunnies and some dogs are mostly fluff, going with a larger size provides a neater look

Like many entrepreneurs, Liane Onaga discovered her business concept in personal experience. Looking for a t-shirt for her dog, she found selection limited and prices high, so she decided to develop her own.

The result is the Fauna Collection, which she describes as “a designer pet apparel brand that focuses on fresh graphic designs, incredible quality and enhancing the bond between people and their furry loved ones.”

Onaga started the line in 2008 with colorful graphics to show off a pet’s sassy personality. Last fall, she added a licensed line featuring the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa athletics logo. It was a hit with alumni and sports fans alike, she says.

“It was crazy. People who didn’t even have pets were buying them for friends and neighbors and relatives on the mainland.”

The newest line caries shirts for dogs up to 115 pounds.

Onaga says her experiences at Mānoa inspired her to start the business.

“I was always into art and into selling things,” she says. “UH Mānoa and Pi Sigma Epsilon marketing fraternity provided me with the tools I needed to launch my very own pet apparel business.”

The Fauna Collection can be found at pet stores, Rainbowtique stores and online.

Tags: alumni, alumni profile, fashion, UH Manoa, Vol. 34 No. 1