The Locey's 2025 Christmas Letter

Another Year of Gratitude

Aloha friends and family,

As we wrap up 2025, our home feels extra full — of creativity, sawdust, fabric scraps, camera batteries, kid inventions, and so much gratitude. It’s been a year of big dreams, bold projects, and tiny moments that reminded us what matters most. Here’s a peek at our year:

Haley’s Year of Creative Breakthroughs

  • 2025 was a milestone year for Haley and Fashion ReWork, where her tagline, “Turning Waste Into Wonder,” took on an even deeper meaning.

    • She continued growing her sustainability-centered fashion brand, transforming destined-for-landfill textiles into one-of-a-kind wearable art and building an enthusiastic collector community.
    • Her documentary, Threads of Change, entered a major development phase with national filming, powerful interviews, and deeper partnerships with sustainability advocates across Detroit and the U.S. This year also brought new friendships with fellow directors — relationships that have greatly strengthened her vision, storytelling, and long-term strategy for the film.
    • Haley sharpened her mission: to meaningfully reduce textile waste by developing local supplier partnerships to keep materials in-state, and by finding new purposes for textiles currently overwhelming other countries.
    • Her next step is working with local manufacturers, especially those teaching women — including refugee women — vocational sewing skills, ensuring her designs uplift both people and planet.
    • Once that foundation is in place, she hopes to grow her impact globally by partnering with fair-labor companies in regions most affected by the West’s textile waste — including parts of Africa, Indonesia, and Peru — to support dignified work while keeping even more textiles out of landfills.
    • Fashion ReWork also had its strongest year yet, with standout shows at Dally in the Alley, the Fisher Building Fiber Festival, Ann Arbor Pride, Milford Memories, and One-of-a-Kind Chicago.
    • Haley balanced it all with her personal callings: her first full year as a Temple Ordinance Worker, continued service with the Young Women at church, and stepping into her “art era” through a gallery piece honoring her grandmother.
    • She hosted a session at Alt Summit, attended Mom2.0, won a grant from Etsy and Hello Alice, and opened for a keynote speaker — sharing her unexpected path from fashion to sustainability.

     

Todd’s Milestones & Creative Leadership

Todd turned 40 this year — entering the distinguished era of “my back makes that noise now,” yet somehow gaining even more wisdom, talent, and elite-level dad jokes.

  • He continued to thrive in his role at Alliance Chicago, stepping further into cloud architecture and contributing to the organization’s expanding mission. His work remains a steady blessing for our family (and a reliable source of tech support at home).

  • Outside work hours, he earned his Michigan Residential Contractor’s License. While our home addition is on pause — courtesy of Fashion ReWork’s growth and Haley’s expanding Pinterest board — he’s collecting ideas like a joyful, responsible magpie.

  • At home, Todd is the steady Hawaiian backbone of our family: resident tech fixer, creative sounding board, cinematography co-pilot for Threads of Change, and calm problem-solver of all things “Dad, can you help me…?”

  • He served as our ward executive secretary, managing Sunday broadcasts and helping in nursery because, truly, 2– and 3-year-olds are where it’s at for pure church comedy.

  • In Scout world, Todd and Haley co-led our boys’ Cub Scout den, teaching hiking and first aid — and discovering that children wielding marshmallow sticks are somehow more dangerous than BB guns (even though the night was supposed to be about constellations).

  • And in true Todd fashion, he ensured no Scouts — or Locey children — were harmed during our “reasonably responsible” rage-room birthday party. When Haley announced her plan to let the boys smash pumpkins and assorted Facebook Marketplace “free” items, Todd appeared instantly with multiple goggles, a welder’s face shield, long gloves, and shoe covers. A familiar pattern emerges: Haley dreams up the wild ideas… and Todd quietly arrives with the safety gear, strategic plan, and calm execution to keep us all alive.

  • Through it all, Todd kept our home filled with curiosity, laughter, and the occasional homemade contraption that definitely needed a safety disclaimer.

Laniakea’s Wonderful Wins

(Yes — he really is already 11!)

Laniakea wrapped up 5th grade and his final year of elementary school with the kind of momentum that makes us all wonder if he’s secretly running on solar power.

  • We celebrated his 11th birthday with a “reasonably supervised” rage-room party — smashing pumpkins and glass, followed by Roblox. Items were destroyed, memories were made, and miraculously nobody cried.

  • He earned his Webelos rank and Arrow of Light, finishing Cub Scouts with pride and gratitude for the leaders who supported him.

  • His robotics team won multiple awards and advanced to the state tournament, where he shined in robot missions and the innovation project — equal parts engineer and charismatic presenter.

  • Through P2 Leadership Team, Rock Club, and DNN (Dragon News Network), he kept growing as a leader — interviewing teachers, reporting at assemblies, and bringing his signature calm confidence.

  • At ONTV Camp, he learned professional-level camera operation, directing, and broadcasting — skills now put to good use on his YouTube channel and at school.

  • He enjoyed another great season of soccer, growing in teamwork, skill, and that determined game-face of his.

  • In January, he steps into the Young Men’s program at church. His spiritual curiosity is sincere and steady — and he’s excited to attend the temple soon.

  • Above all, he remains the best big brother and son — full of kindness, curiosity, a sunrise-bright smile, and a sense of humor that makes every day better.

Makoa’s Big Year

Makoa’s year overflowed with wonder, creativity, and the type of boundless energy that could probably power a small town.

  • He entered 1st grade, excelling in reading, writing, and math. He loves learning almost as much as he loves playing games with his big brother and neighborhood friends.

  • He leveled up in Scouts and soccer, growing in confidence and skill.

  • He earned his Lion rank and moved up to Tiger, proudly closing out Haley and Todd’s final year as den leaders.

  • His imagination is in full bloom — whether through Minecraft worlds, Lego marvels, or Duplo engineering masterpieces, he is constantly creating something extraordinary.

  • Both boys attended two art camps this summer, and Makoa impressed everyone with his sense of color, detail, and creativity.

  • He happily spent time with the older robotics team this year and can’t wait until it’s his turn to join officially.

  • A highlight of his year was the tree fort and zip line built by Tutu Matt and Dad — something he wrote about with deep sincerity in his gratitude journal.

  • And this year, Makoa’s lifelong love of music only grew stronger. He’s been rocking out since he was two — from Primus to The Offspring — and his playlist has only grown more eclectic. These days, he’s practicing his Japanese by singing along to the One Piece soundtrack, adding a dash of Spanish with the Coco soundtrack (which he belts out at full volume), and still holds a steady passion for lively punk — from the Ramones and Dropkick Murphys to Iggy Pop. He’s also recently fallen for surf rock, especially Dick Dale & His Del-Tones, performing Miserlou like the living room is his personal stage. Mom and son love singing and rocking out together; it’s one of their sweetest shared rituals.

  • And every day, Makoa continues to be the best little brother and son — full of bravery, tenderness, encouraging words, unforgettable hugs, and a sweet, steady singing voice that fills our home with music.

Family Highlights

  • A wonderful trip to California to celebrate Uncle Ted’s graduation — complete with Disneyland magic, an unforgettable LAFC game, and a fun San Diego day with Julia and Amora.
  • We became Cedar Point season pass holders, sneaking in weekend trips and the occasional “school-optional” weekday adventure.
  • We spent many sunny afternoons at the boys’ favorite fruit farms, picking far more berries, peaches, and apples than any one family reasonably needs. Thanks to Laniakea taking a baking camp this summer, we cooked, baked, froze, blended, and invented more raspberry and strawberry recipes than we ever imagined possible.
  • Summer was full of time spent with friends and their families — enjoying the pool, the lake, and those perfect Michigan evenings that convince you winter can’t possibly be that bad (until it arrives).
  • Cozy nights reading our favorite vintage books and watching campy sci-fi movies became a sweet family ritual — the kind that sneaks up on you and becomes a tradition.
  • Todd’s mom’s cooking and baking reached legendary levels this year, officially launching Tiki Brothers Lemonade Stand, the boys’ new side business. Makoa and Laniakea set up their banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, and lemonade stand, proudly sharing their Granny’s Hawaiian recipe with the Lake Orion locals. They now have enthusiastic repeat customers who slow down just to yell, “Where’s that banana bread?!”
  • We loved cheering on Todd’s dad and marveling at his super architectural builder skills, which continue to amaze us all.
  • A huge highlight: seeing J Boog, our favorite Hawaiian reggae artist, at St. Andrew’s — alongside every Polynesian brother and sister in the metro Detroit area. It felt like a family reunion we didn’t know we needed.
  • Our annual July 4th lake fireworks party was as fun — and as extremely buggy — as ever. Another year, another battle with mosquitos, and still one of our favorite traditions.
  • Todd’s Chinese-Hawaiian 40th birthday party was a joyful celebration full of friends, family, food, and heartfelt fun.
  • We proudly won this year’s Trunk-or-Treat with our ‘67 theme — a victory we may bring up casually (and not-so-casually) for years to come for you know…street cred. 
  • Many miles of family bike rides, countless neighborhood loops, and deeper roots planted in our community made this year feel grounded and meaningful.
  • And in every way, we leaned into what we love most: creating, exploring, learning, laughing, and building a life filled with intention and wonder.

 

With Gratitude

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re grateful for everyone who cheered us on, supported our wild ideas, loved our kids, and stayed connected through every season. We couldn’t do any of this without you. Thank you for loving and laughing with us, we love you! AND…. We’ve loved every moment shared this year and look forward to 2026 — the memories we’ll make, the adventures ahead, and the loved ones we’ll get to see.

From our family to yours:

Mele Kalikimaka & Happy Holidays.
May the new year bring you light, warmth, creativity, and joy.

With love,
The Locey Family
Haley · Todd · Laniakea · Makoa