Larry Padilla

Founder & Owner

“Work hard, play hard, have fun at both.”

Larry Padilla began his sculpting career in 1972, and worked as a solo artist and sculptor in Hawai‘i for 20 years before founding Padilla Designs with his wife and business partner Mary Jo.

Larry’s first functional art piece was an elaborate entrance way for a custom ocean front home in Wailea Maui. Titled “The Lady in the Rainforest” this piece sparked Padilla Designs specialty in copper functional artwork.

Since the company was founded in 1992, Larry has led the company from a small backyard operation to a full-service, large scale workshop based in Central Maui with an impressive list of high-end clientele.

The gifts that Larry brings to his family business are broad: from consulting and communicating with clients, to designing the projected vision, to full execution of the finished project, he is an inspiration to his four sons, all of whom have built careers with Padilla Designs. In his spare time, he spends time with Mother Nature (who he calls “the ultimate teacher”), and creates what he refers to as “soul sculptures”, which are not offered for sale, but are meant to allow the viewer to participate as interpreter of each piece.

Mary Jo Padilla

Office Manager

“Itʻs a transformative process and I’m always amazed at the incredible talent our team shares in working together to create, in the end, a beautiful work of art.”


An integral part of Padilla Designs since day one, Mary Jo has nurtured the business and family as it has grown. More recently, she has taken a role of running the Padilla Designs office, taking care of organization, bookkeeping and secretarial needs at the design headquarters. In her role, she enjoys following the progression of each project from its initial concept through the stages of design, fabrication, finishing and installation. The mother of five adult children, all of whom are a part of the Padilla Designs business, Mary Jo has enjoyed working, playing, and learning alongside her kids since they were born, and enjoys gardening, yoga, meditation, reading, and spending time in nature.

Kaleo Padilla

General Manager

“We always seem to make our clients feel like part of the Padilla ‘ohana.”

Naturally drawn to the design and engineering side of the business, Kaleo – the oldest of Larry and Mary Joʻs five children – has been officially part of the Padilla Designs team since 2002. He grew up on Maui with his fatherʻs business blossoming in his backyard, and attended Claremont McKenna College where he received a degree in Economics and Engineering. Upon return, Kaleo became General Manager of Padilla Designs, a role he enjoys due to the opportunities to carefully oversee custom design projects, and the social benefits of working directly with clients.

Janus Padilla

Production Manager

“If theres one thing I’ve learned working here, it is that there is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it.”

As Production Manager at Padilla Designs, Janus focuses on catering to each clientʻs unique perspective and taste. He enjoys the challenge of creating something original for the client, and finds that the problem solving inherent in the process brings the family closer together and makes them a stronger team.

Paz Padilla

Quality Control Specialist

“I love getting new ideas from clients and seeing their delight as their masterpiece comes to life.”

Drawn to the creative aspects of the business, Paz is proud that the Padilla team is bringing beauty into the daily lives of their clients. He feels truly blessed to work with his family, and loves that they are always raising the bar and expanding their capabilities with each completed project.

Ian Padilla

Senior Project Manager

“When I can work all day and be with my family at the same time, thatʻs something special.”

From product design to fabrication to the finishing stages of installation, Ianʻs role is to keep everybody positive. With appreciation of the Padilla familyʻs roots, and how the business has grown in his lifetime, he appreciates all the team does to bring growth to the business and to each other.

Jacob “Jakey Boy” Nahooikaika

Lead Sculptor/Fabricator

“We work together like strands of a rope.”

Jake joined the Padilla Designs family in 2013. As a skilled sculptor and fabricator he focuses primarily on getting the project completed efficiently with quality and beauty. Especially proud of the “Maui” demigod sculpture project he and the Padilla team installed at the Andaz Maui at Wailea, he recognizes that moment as a time when he knew he was part of something truly special.

Ryan “Guy” Edmond

Project Specialist/General Fabrication

“It is always satisfying to see clientsʻ faces light up when they see the finished product.”

Guy has been with the Padilla Designs team since 2006, and appreciates every aspect of the creation process as a deep learning experience. He feels lucky to work with a team with as much creativity as the Padilla family. Heʻs a D1 certified welder, and is drawn to any aspect of the business that he can support and make better.