Maui Jim
Encyclopedia
Maui Jim is an American luxury brand of sunglasses
based in Peoria
, Illinois
. All sets of Maui Jim sunglasses feature UV-Ray blocking polarized lenses that enhance color, and almost all lines are marketed with an oceanic, sporty theme. In addition to their non-prescription sports sunglasses, Maui Jim is currently producing prescription lenses for their designs, including bifocal lenses.
Maui Jim was originally launched on the hotel pool decks of Maui, Hawaii. The brand was introduced in the mainland states in 1988 via distributorship by owner Bill Capps, based in Northern California. Dan Moreland, Jim Stroesser, Chuck Ponthier and Kelly Gough pioneered the technical sunglass company in America, which quickly became a leading brand in the action sports and optical markets.
Maui Jim originally had its headquarters in Lahaina, Hawaii, but moved to Peoria after buying RLI Vision, the original vision insurance and vision care products unit of RLI Corp.
, in December 1996. The transaction was structured so that RLI Corp. became a major shareholder in Maui Jim, which has continued to the present.
In 1999 Forbes Magazine listed Maui Jim in their 100 Things Worth Every Penny article.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses or sun glasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that...
based in Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. All sets of Maui Jim sunglasses feature UV-Ray blocking polarized lenses that enhance color, and almost all lines are marketed with an oceanic, sporty theme. In addition to their non-prescription sports sunglasses, Maui Jim is currently producing prescription lenses for their designs, including bifocal lenses.
Maui Jim was originally launched on the hotel pool decks of Maui, Hawaii. The brand was introduced in the mainland states in 1988 via distributorship by owner Bill Capps, based in Northern California. Dan Moreland, Jim Stroesser, Chuck Ponthier and Kelly Gough pioneered the technical sunglass company in America, which quickly became a leading brand in the action sports and optical markets.
Maui Jim originally had its headquarters in Lahaina, Hawaii, but moved to Peoria after buying RLI Vision, the original vision insurance and vision care products unit of RLI Corp.
RLI Corp.
RLI Corp. is an American property and casualty insurance company headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, with eighteen branch offices conducting business in all fifty U.S. states. Founded in 1965, RLI was one of the first insurers of contact lenses; the letters RLI originally stood for Replacement...
, in December 1996. The transaction was structured so that RLI Corp. became a major shareholder in Maui Jim, which has continued to the present.
In 1999 Forbes Magazine listed Maui Jim in their 100 Things Worth Every Penny article.