Mildred J. Byers

Milly graduated from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu, HI, in 1948. While in high school, she began modeling for Kamehameha Garment Company. After graduation, she attended fashion design school in New York and was then sent by Kemehameha Garment to London, Paris and Rome to broaden her experience. Upon returning to Hawaii, she worked her way up to Head Designer for Kamehameha. She was a pioneer and instrumental in designing Hawaiian apparel that is still worn today as well as crossing Hawaiian apparel into mainstream fashion. Her designs with Kamehameha were sold across the U.S. in stores such as Lord and Taylor, Bergdorf Goodman, Macy’s as well as many retailers in Hawaii.

She eventually retired to Florida. She was predeceased by three loving husbands, Herbert V. Briner, Everett Jacobs, Sr., and Andy J. Byers. She is survived by nephew and nieces, Armond V. Vincent of Honolulu, HI, Linda V. Steers of Boerne, TX, and Aileen J. Yoshida, of Honolulu, HI. She is also survived by step son Jeffery Jacobs of Irvine, CA, step daughters, Michelle Byers and Annette Colbertado both of Pottersville, NJ and 6 grand children.