How it started…
Originally from Japan, Yuriko Justus (Kihara) is resident of Kauai, Hawaii. She is a self-taught digital artist, and also the creator of “Mochi-Celeste” (TM).
In her childhood, she was constantly drawing—drawing wherever she could find pieces of blank paper, even drawing on the backs of advertising leaflets which came with newspapers. She also loved reading manga like most Japanese kids did (and still do).
She graduated from “Chaucer College of Canterbury” in England, with a BA in International Relations from a Japanese university. Prior to moving to Hawaii, Yuriko lived in Wales in the United Kingdom for fifteen years, working in a multi-national manufacturing company as a Model Cost Controller/Cost Analyst.
There was not much time for drawing during her busy work life up until she moved to Kauai. This began to change when her husband (who is the owner of “Talk Story Bookstore”) asked if she would be interested in creating art for his long-desired merchandise range. From there, she began to draw more and more, and her business “Yuriko J. Design” came to life.
Being surrounded by the extraordinary beauty of Kauai causes her to continue drawing and creating. Her designs are inspired by nature: animals, birds, plants, and flowers—life itself. Recently, Yuriko has been collaborating with many local businesses in designing custom artworks for them, and she strives everyday to explore her creative potential.
Visit Mochi-Celeste Website!
Visit Mana Girls Manga Website!
Currently Various Yuriko J. Design Stickers are available at
-Kauai -
Living Foods - Shops at Kukuiula , Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
National Tropical Botanical Garden - Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Small Fry Kauai - Lihue Kukui Grove, Kauai, Hawaii
Right Slice - Kalaheo, Kauai, Hawaii
KoKe’e Lodge - Kauai, Hawaii
Midnight Bear Breads - Hanapepe, Kauai, Hawaii
Holo Holo Charters - Port Allen, Kauai, Hawaii
NewsStand at Lihue Airport - Kauai, Hawaii
Tip Top Cafe - Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii
Blu Umi - Hanapepe, Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai Coffee Company - Kalaheo, Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai Inn - Kauai, Hawaii
Vim N Vingor - Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii
The Prickly Pineapple (Wranglers) - Waimea, Kauai, Hawaii
Talk Story Bookstore - Hanapepe, Kauai, Hawaii
- Maui -
Aloha NewsStand at Maui Airport - Maui, Hawaii
Kula Lodge Marketplace - Maui, Hawaii
-BIG ISLAND-
Kona Story Bookstore - Kailua, Kona, Big Island, Hawaii
NewsStand at Kona Airport - Big Island, Hawaii
Greenwell Farms - Ka’u, Hawaii
-O’AHU-
NewsStand at Honolulu Airport - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Waikiki Aquarium Gift Shop - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Greenworld Coffee Farm - Oahu, Hawaii
