I'm gonna start off by saying that this is my first Yelp review ever. I used Yelp to find this place, and after going I felt so strongly about the service I received that I had to review them... that's how good it was. I've been going to the same stylist my entire life, but the past couple cuts I've gotten from her have left me really unhappy. Now that I live in town, I figured it was time to find a new stylist. I found Salon Kai on Yelp and called on a Tuesday afternoon looking for an appointment the same day. I was willing to go to any stylist because my hair was looking more and more like a mullet everyday since my last cut, but I had my fingers crossed that Jen would be available because of her rave reviews on here. I got an appointment for 5:30 that same day with Jen and I'm so so so glad I did. First of all, the shampoo and conditioning left me feeling like I needed a nap because it was so nice. She was talking to me the whole time but I was so relaxed that I don't even remember my replies. I had pictures on my phone of what I wanted done, but Jen said she had just cut a girls hair that day with a problem similar to mine (a baby mullet) and so I let her do her thing. Somehow, it came out exactly like the pictures I had when she hadn't even seen them! I have really really thick Asian hair, and she really worked with the texture and amount of what I had to give me a cut that suits both my hair type and personality. I went in expecting to pay $45 from what I read on Yelp, but she gave a college discount! It was only $25, but I tipped her at 50% because I was so pleased. I've found a new hair stylist and I'm so so glad. Go see Jen! Your hair will thank you. read more

I just moved to O'ahu and went through four hairstylists and four bad haircuts before finding Kelsie at Salon Kai and I am so happy!! This is one of the best haircuts I've ever had, with excellent service... Mahalo nui loa 'O Kelsie, a hui hou I will be back love to support local business and Aloha style! read more

Was only here for the weekend, but wanted feather extensions. Konoi fit us in on Saturday on super short notice. She was very accommodating! Being from LA it was nice to have the time to make a decision on which feathers I wanted and she helped me put them in my hair to see which colors I liked and where I liked them. Actually I felt bad because after she put them in my hair I decided I wanted them moved! I apologized and she was very polite and helped me move them to the exact place I wanted them! So nice! Also was with my Japanese friend and Konoi was very accommodating for her even with the language barrier! Highly recommend. $25/feather extension bundle. Each bundle is 6-7 feathers. I LOVE THEM! read more

I have been looking for a clean, reasonably priced salon for some time. Read reviews on Salon Kai do I thought I would try it out. I booked an appointment with Caroline - earliest I could get was about 3 weeks out. When I met her, I thought she might be too young to get what I wanted which is basically a professional mid length style that is low maintenance but doesn't look like the same style I've been wearing for decades - not easy to achieve and many of my past stylists, even the pricey ones, could not. I was pleasantly surprised with my cut and color. She really took the time to wet cut and dry cut my hair. She thinned layers in the back so that the back would be easier to style and re-worked the layers in front to better frame my face. She did an amazing job styling my hair and gave me a lot of good tips for every day styling. To my surprise, as soon as I got home, my husband commented not once, but twice, on how much he liked my hair. Haven't had the chance to style it myself yet, but I'm hoping that the quality of the cut will make it a lot faster and easier! read more

I have no idea what kind of job they do cause I COULDN'T GET AN APPOINTMENT! I called 15 min after they opened and the girl told me they no openings for the day.So I asked if I could get an appointment for tomorrow and she said she'd have to call all the stylists individually to see if they had openings. I told her never mind Ill go elsewhere where the receptionist that answers the phone can actually schdeule an appointment! read more

Salon Kai is located in Manoa Marketplace, on the 2nd floor, above Fendu. It just opened in the beginning of December 2010. It has a nice, simple decor, with cute touches (neat mirror/cabinets and comfy chairs). The hair wash/massage before the haircut is really good and relaxing. Sandi always gives fantastic haircuts...my whole family goes to her! Be sure to make your appointment a few weeks in advance because she's super busy! read more

Rose was a sweetheart to squeeze me in the day of my mom's funeral service. I had been so busy and had my hair done the weekend before by another salon, but I was really unhappy with my color. Rose did a partial highlight for me to fix my color, and it looks wonderful! Thank you Rose! read more

Caroline is a magician when it comes to hair. This was my first visit and in the service she provided me was amazing. Everywhere i go i get compliments on it. I will deffinately be going back. Shes made a loyal customer out of me read more

I've been with Wendee for 10+ years. My whole family sees her now...my mom, hubby and the two little boys. She's super patient with even the little one. read more

This is the best hair salon on island! I've been going to Rose for several years now and I can honestly say she's the very best. Not only is she incredibly friendly and personable, she does an excellent job! She is a great listener and I've never once been unhappy with my cut and color. Before I found Rose, I hadn't been able to find a hair stylist who could do blonde hair well. Rose does an incredible job and uses a great color product; Wella. I've tried a lot of salons and products and I know a great salon, stylist and great products when I see them! The salon itself is smaller and the ambiance is much quieter than a lot of larger salons. It's clean, cute and unpretentious. The ladies who work there are down to earth and I always enjoy going to the salon! Parking is typically ample at the Mānoa shopping center but of course certain times are going to be busier than others. That being said, over the years, I've never not been able to find parking in the center. And what's great is it's free so you don't have to haggle with quarters, parking attendants, etc. I recommend going downstairs to the Fendu Boulangerie after getting your hair done for an added AMAZING to your pampering experience read more

The last time I cut my hair was almost a year ago. I'm growing it out but needed a trim. A friend recommended Salon Kai. I called the salon on a Friday and was able to get an appointment for Sunday. Jayne was great! I requested my usual cut: long layers, tapered at the bottom, and thinned out. She knew exactly what to do. The best part of the whole cut was the way she did my side swept bangs! I love them. It's just the right thickness, and works well with my natural part. I would definitely recommend Jayna. read more

I was very apprehensive about getting my hair cut so short until I met JEN. She was very good at communicating with me in order to give me the hairstyle I had envisioned for myself. On top of looking at the picture I brought in she looked at my hair and gave me her professional opinion on whether that style would work or not. Luckily the cut I was hoping to get was do-able. She made minor adjustments to get my hair as close to the example picture as possible, but she made sure I knew what she was planning to do (make my hair a little shorter than what was shown in the picture) beforehand. Jen assessed, washed, cut, dried, and styled my hair and I am happy to say that I am very please with how my hair turned out :) Jen is an awesome stylist! I highly recommend visiting her if you are in need of a cut! read more

Went in for a hair cut and got Nikki, she was great!! Highly recommend

Nicky is my hair stylist and she makes me look amazing!! Also, my previous hair stylist "Rose" is awesome too!!

Niki is amazing! I called today for a spur of the moment hair cut and I got Niki. I went in with a general idea of what I wanted but I wasn't 100% sure, so Niki took what I wanted, along with some of her own ideas, and worked her magic and now I love my hair! read more

So glad I tried this place. Jayna was awesome, even fit me in as a walk-in on short notice. Jayna listens to you, finds out what you like/need and does very nice work. She is very nice, has a very gentle, calm nature, not rushed when cutting. The location is good, lots of parking in Manoa Shopping center, and the price was great too at $33 for wash/cut/wash & style (I tipped $10). I really like that she washed my hair after the cut as well as before, and she gave a nice scalp massage too. I'll definitely be back. read more

See Nikki! She is awesome and I always leave a happy camper! I'm always helped immediately and if it's a holiday she gives out little B&B sanitizers as a mahalo. The cut was only $46 and I believe I read that they offer a student discount. I meant to ask if they offer military, but had to leave in a hurry. The price is so good though, you really don't need much of a discount. I definitely recommend Nikki for quick, quality and professional service with a smile! read more

I spent a few hours there but my stylist was wonderful. She spent time with my hair for hilights and a very cute haircut! It was a dramatic change from what I had before (cut off around 8-10inches) and was very happy with the results! I will be going back :) read more

Lots of convenient and free parking at the marketplace. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. I had my hair cut by Nikki because of all the positive reviews and she did not disappoint. I've never gotten so many compliments on my haircut! Thank you, Nikki! read more

My new favorite place! My hairstylist was very nice and she did a great job! Not to mention the price was great and it included wash, a quick scalp massage, style, and cut! read more

Wendee is AWESOME!!! I have not been able to find a stylist that is consistent. Others have had difficulties because my hair is weirdly wavy but Wendee always cuts my hair just right! Yay! read more

I have been to Salon Kai twice now, and I am extremely impressed with both Jayna and Niki! The salon is very busy all the time so I would recommend calling several days in advance- these ladies know what they're doin here! read more

Wanted to cut my hair before I start my new job. Loved the way my hair turned out. Thinned it out so it's a lot lighter and more manageable. The stylists here know what they are doing. Only drawback is that the hair wash was not that enjoyable. There was no head support or cushion against the plastic wash tub so I had a bit of bruising on the back of my head the following day. read more

Niki is a genius. I have seriously never been so happy walking out of a salon. My hair was TERRIBLE going in. I had massive product build-up and heinous split ends walking in this morning, but even appointment-less I managed to be fit in for a cut. And it was such a great experience. Salon Kai is clean, it's conveniently located for those of us living in Manoa, and I felt totally taken care of. Niki was patient as hell with my hair, she shampooed and blow dried like it ain't no thing. So grateful for the service and the price -$45 are you kidding me!? read more

Niki is amazing! I went in for just a regular hair trim, but walked out with a voluminous, perfectly blow-dry styled softly waved hair. Niki is great at listening to what the client wants and then delivers a skilled cut. I'm very happy with the result and will definitely be back! read more

Just got my hair done today by Nikki! She worked her magic on my hair and it went from a bad hair day to wow I look like amazing. so about 11 days ago I got a really bad hair cut from a lady who did not even speak the same language as me. It was out right just a poor decision of mine, and when I left I had one tail. Mind you I had very long thick hair, so it was pretty traumatic when the other lady jacked up my hair. Thankfully Nikki fixed it and I'm very much in love with it. Mahalo Nikki for fixing my hair your truly amazing! read more

Kanoe is AMAZING! I've been going to her for the past 5 years, and I always get compliments on my hair cut. Since Kanoe has been cutting my hair, it grows like a weed. She also has fabulous feather extensions and NEW feathers + chains that are cool as well. Salon Kai even has beautiful, handcrafted jewelry from a local artist. Love, love, love Salon Kai and my stylist Kanoe!!! read more

Caroline has done wonders with my hair :) she always does an amazing job cutting, styling, & coloring!! she has done my hair an amazing red with my asian hair :) the new salon is adorable, and the atmosphere is SO much different and friendlier. Call the salon & make an appt with Caroline & you won't be let down. read more

I finally found a good hair salon. Even though I have a pretty basic haircut, I'm very picky about my hair. I don't let just anyone cut or color it. I first came here and Rose was my stylist. She was super super nice, but I didn't end up liking the way she colored my hair. I loved the atmosphere so much I wanted to give someone else a shot. I met Nikki. Omg I absolutely love her! Lately she's been so booked I started going to Caroline. I also love Caroline. She colors my hair the exact way I want it. She's super nice and pretty funny, we always have a great time! read more

I just wanted to say that I have been going to Rose for many years, even when she was with Lloyd H. and I must say she does my color the best. I get many compliments on my color!!!!!!!!! I've tried to go to another hairstylist that is closer to me but I am always disappointed and even end-up going back to Rose to have her fix the problem. Rose also cut my hair because I wanted a change and everyone especially my husband loved the new me! Thanks Rose! I am and will always be Rose's faithful customer. read more

Ask for Jenn! I went to her for a hair cut a while back and she gave me exactly what I wanted. She also really cares about hair care and gave me some good tips on how to take proper care of my previously dyed hair. Love her! read more

We just moved to Oahu from Washington. I left behind my beloved hairdresser and was very nervous about trying someone new. I checked Yelp and found Salon Kai near our home and decided to give it a try. I saw Niki and could not have been more pleased! She took her time to make sure she understood what I wanted and didn't try to make any major changes. I brought my formula with me and she was able to recreate my color exactly. I walked out a very satisfied and happy customer! I highly recommend this salon, nice casual atmosphere, warm and inviting and very nice people too! Prices are reasonable, and I didn't feel rushed. I will be a returning client! read more

Niki cut my hair today and I must say I've never been so impressed with a haircut or a stylist. She began by taking me to her chair to discuss the cut I wanted, and then she took me over to the hair washing station. I believe she used Alterna shampoo and conditioner. She washed my hair and have me am amazing scalp massage. We then went back to her station where she made tweaks to the cut that I wanted so that it would fit my style and face shape. I came in with a short bob and left with a cute pixie cut. She definitely took her time cutting my hair and perfecting it. When I walked out a little over an hour later I was impressed and feeling good. You can't beat this treatment and expertise; especially for 45 dollars a cut. I've spent over 80 just for a cut from a "master" hair stylist at the Aveda Salon in Ala Moana mall. Niki kicked hair ass when it came to not only my hair but her personality. I will not be going anywhere else in Hawaii for my hair. read more