Kauaʻi teen with Down Syndrome turns beach sand messages into a heart-warming business

Teenager Ella Joy Martinez is well known across the Garden Island for her warm smile, for being on the cover of Hawaiʻi Family Magazine, and for waving signs in support of numerous causes, such as preventing suicide, supporting people with disabilities and anti-bullying efforts.

“Ella’s on the front line and a student leader,” said her mother, Katrina Louise Martinez.

And, for several years, Ella and her two siblings, sister Miyo Remington and brother Jahro Parrish, would stop at the shoreline before or after their mother’s shift at the Hyatt to write aloha or celebration messages in the sand.

Now, this simple habit along with Ellaʻs advocacy have grown into a business on Kauaʻi for Ella, who has Down Syndrome.

Sand Scribletz launched on Earth Day, April 22. Ella creates handwritten sand messages and includes a photo.

“It’s not script,” said Ella’s mother, Martinez, while laughing. “Itʻs scribble.”

Martinez added: “My older daughter Miyo simply said one day, we should turn this into a business, and thatʻs how we got the idea.”

Martinez notes the business name reflects the imperfect, hand-crafted nature of the artwork and the family behind it. The final ʻzʻ honors the last letter in their last name.

While each creation lasts only until the tide rolls in, the photographs preserve the moment for eternity. And they provide Joy, just like Ella’s middle name.

“She’s truly a joy to the world,” Martinez said.

The launch of the business comes at a pivotal moment for both Martinez and Ella, as Ella begins her Extended School Year program, which provides special education and related services for eligible students with disabilities during school breaks.

Martinez, a longtime disability advocate, said she has struggled to find programs that help teenagers with disabilities develop entrepreneurial and employment skills.

Creating the business became a way to begin building those opportunities for her daughter.

Ella turns 14 on June 23 and then begins her freshman year at Kauaʻi High School.

“I have even talked about this with the mayor and with the county council people, like we need more programs for teens with disabilities,” she said.

Down Syndrome is a genetic condition that results in varying degrees of intellectual and developmental delays. Ella is nonverbal, her mother said.

“Sheʻs coming into her place in her community, and into her society, and what or how can she contribute,” Martinez said. “So we decided to launch this business, and right now we are both learning together.”

With a business license secured, Ella and her mother proudly offer customized messages for birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. Martinez believes the service fills a deeper need, “especially for people who can no longer visit places that hold special memories.”

Some people may be elderly, homebound or disabled, or may live far from the island they once called home, and “not everyone can afford a trip to Hawaiʻi.”

“A simple photograph of a personalized message written on a favorite shoreline can reconnect people with meaningful moments and places,” said Martinez, 53.

The business recently has attracted customers seeking Father’s Day notes.

Unlike heavily edited social media content, Ella intentionally keeps her images authentic.

“The beach is exactly how we find it,” Martinez said. “Weʻre not adding flowers or props. It’s just the real natural shoreline.”

Even the stick Ella uses matters. Martinez discovered the narrow piece of driftwood while walking the beach and now carries it for Ella for nearly every order.

“No sticks are the same,” she said while laughing.

Beyond building the business, Martinez hopes Sand Scribletz becomes something larger — a pathway toward independence for Ella.

The ultimate goal is for Ella to one day take ownership of the company.

“Can this be something Ella can take over and generate her own income?” Martinez said while crying. “That’s really the heart of it.”

Martinez envisions a future in which her daughter can continue to create messages, connect with customers, and run a business built on creativity and community: “I hope one day she can even connect globally.”

The duo and their business are already attracting many businesses seeking unique ways to stand out, including Sugar Skull Bakery, Keiraʻs Lemonade, Kōloa Thrift and Lei, and Nonakoa.

The messages and photographs are offered on a donation basis.

With some of the proceeds, Sand Scribletz donates back to local causes, including suicide prevention efforts, and hopes the business can continue supporting both community organizations and families raising children with disabilities.

“People with disabilities have a place in entrepreneurship, too,” Martinez said. “Send us your Fatherʻs Day messages and support a small local business.”

The messages also are a way for Ella to express herself with her message: “Have courage and be kind.”

To support, or place an order in advance, click here.