Passions for coffee, health and wellness fuel Steele Dubar, owner and founder of two new independent businesses under one roof, Everyday and Lava Wellness.
The first, a coffee shop that sells organic coffee and teas, which soft opened on Sept. 29, and the latter, a healing environment that doubles as a social hub, expected to launch in the new year.
Though no date has been confirmed, Dubar said he is grateful for this experience and excited for the opportunities ahead.
“I'm actually super stoked with how we've opened and come out to the community so far,” he told Aloha State Daily. “As people start to find out what we're about — healing people and bringing that sense of community — then we can build more of an anticipation to get them ready and excited for the space.”
Lava Wellness as three custom hyperbaric chambers; two that fit two people at a time; and one solo. They are outfitted with a constellation roof, A/C and TV. (Aloha State Daily Staff)
At Lava Wellness, services are intended for everyone, he said, and include access to a meditation pod (to his knowledge, only the second one in the state), a red light therapy bed, three hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and contrast therapy (cold plunge and sauna) in communal and private suites. Various health benefits are tied to each treatment spanning from relaxation and recovery.
Currently, yoga, pilates and other body movement and breathing classes are offered with sign-ups via the café’s Instagram. Soon clients will be able to book services ala carte to start off with, and then eventually membership packages, he noted.
According to Dubar, the first part of the biz’s name has a few meanings such as “new life,” “new beginnings,” and “transformation.” One of his favorite areas on the property contains a lava rock wall “that is outside and transports you somewhere else,” he said.
The approximately 8,000-square-foot building complete with two parking lots, located at 938 Pi‘ikoi and 1155 S. King streets, was purchased in 2024 and renovations took about a year, he said, adding, “My mom's an interior designer, too, so that helps! We really wanted to build a space that is inspiring to people … that just feels good to be in, and that can heal you from just being in an area.”
Originally from California, Dubar transferred to The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, where he played one year of football and graduated last May with a bachelor’s degree in communications. As an athlete, he said it was hard to find wellness centers here that he could go to recover. So he did some more research and pitched the business idea to family, who helped invest in the venture.
“I always knew I’d go into business because my dad is an entrepreneur and so is my uncle,” Dubar noted. They're just very relentless people that don't quit, and they make sure that the job gets done. I've learned grit and hard work from them.”
Other mentors of his include past football coaches.
“I want to give a shout out to Timmy Chang. I think he's a great mentor. I love what he's doing with UH football. I think that's super huge,” Dubar said. “There have been many different mentors that have really shaped me throughout the way.”
When asked about future community partnerships, he added that events with UH Athletics and UH Football is high on the list. So is giving back to first responders. With the coffee shop, he hopes to introduce more healthy food and drink items.
Leading up to Lava Wellness' grand opening, Dubar continues to build his team up from 12 employees, he said. Work perks include access to wellness services and being part of a “positive, close-knit group [who] are invested in caring about what they do and helping people.” Interested applicants may visit lavawellness.com or on Indeed.com.
To stay well himself, Steele enjoys playing sports, being outdoors and utilizing the services daily.
For more updates, follow Everyday and Lava Wellness on social media.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
