Kilohana Lighting, a Kaua‘i showroom serving Hawai‘i’s architectural and residential design community for more than 3 decades, is a finalist in the 2026 U.S. Showroom of the Year competition, one of the highest honors in the North American lighting industry.
The annual competition — sponsored by Dallas Market Center, organizer of the largest residential lighting trade event in North America — is open to lighting businesses throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Finalists are selected for their command of the latest technology and design trends, strength of their business and, above all, commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience.
Finalists in the 2026 U.S. Showroom of the Year competition will be honored during an awards ceremony June 25 at Dallas Market Center in Texas during the Lightovation trade show.
“Our team works hard every day to stay ahead of an industry that’s changing fast,” said Kilohana Lighting founder and owner Susan Irie in an announcement about the nomination. “New technology, new energy standards, new design language. Being selected as a finalist by the Dallas Market Center tells us that our commitment to that craft is being recognized.”
Irie is proud of her staff and grateful to every client who invited them into their home or project during the past 33 years.
Recognition is not new territory for Kilohana Lighting, which is a previous Kauai‘i Retailer of the Year and received a prestigious ARIS Award for Best Lighting Showroom in the Western United States.
Irie also is a previous winner of the Pillar of the Industry Award from American Lighting Association for her volunteer service on the organization’s education committee. She also served as chairperson for the association’s Ceiling Fan Education Committee.
Irie founded her Līhuʻe-based Kilohana Lighting in 1993 out of necessity, stranded by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 during her honeymoon on Kaua‘i.
Kilohana Lighting founder and owner Susan Irie. (Courtesy Photo: Kilohana Lighting)- Courtesy Photo: Kilohana Lighting
- Courtesy Image: Kilohana Lighting
She immediately jumped in to help the local community with any electrical needs she could, quickly falling in love with the island’s people and culture.
What followed was a vision to bring world-class lighting design to the islands, which has grown into a trusted resource for Hawai‘i’s architects, builders, interior designers and homeowners, with a reputation for marrying mainland industry expertise to the unique design language of island living.
Learn more about the woman-owned, full-service lighting showroom by visiting its website.
