Maui Jim was founded in 1987 on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
The brand initially sold sunglasses to visitors and residents in Hawaii, where strong sunlight and bright reflections from the ocean created a natural market for high-performance lenses. Its identity remains closely connected with island light and outdoor use.
Maui Jim became particularly known for polarized lenses and lens treatments intended to improve glare reduction and color perception. The company later developed a broader international distribution network and a large range of lifestyle and sport sunglasses.
Maui Jim is not named after a person called Jim. The name combines Maui, the island where the brand began, with the informal name used for the company’s original identity.