Thread by @SammySindhi

🧵 Meet the Watumull family—a Sindhi family from Hyderabad who are now one of the wealthiest families in Hawaii. Their journey from modest beginnings to a 100-year business legacy spans generations and continents.

Jhamandas Watumull Mirchandani was the eldest of nine. At 14, he left for Sri Lanka & Manila after his father, a bricklayer, was paralyzed in an accident. His mother sold her jewellery to fund the voyage, hoping he'd build a better life through trade.

In 1915, Jhamandas reached Honolulu, taking charge of a store set up by his partner Dharamdas that offered exotic goods from the East. The shop quickly became popular with visitors to Hawaii, marking the Watumulls' entry into Hawaiian business.

Those early years were tough. Jhamandas and his partner Dharamdas struggled, sending earnings back home from their Manila store. In 1917, Jhamandas younger brother Gobindram joined, as his partner Dharamdas had died of cholera on a visit to India

By the 1920s, Gobindram brought Indian art to Hawaii. He showcased paintings by Indian artist KJ Leilani & encouraged his sister-in-law Elsie Das to create designs on silk, leading to what would become the first "aloha wear."

Despite U.S. racial policies, Gobindram secured citizenship in the 1950s. He also got involved in India's freedom movement, helping rally American support.

In 1935, Gobindram commissioned Hawaiian floral designs, which became iconic on aloha shirts. Their brand grew synonymous with Hawaiian culture. By the ‘70s, Watumull stores had expanded across Hawaii, selling aloha wear, souvenirs & more.

In 1942, Gobindram and his wife founded the Watumull Foundation, supporting Indian-American cultural exchanges. They sponsored Dr. S. Radhakrishnan to give lectures across U.S. universities and awarded literary prizes on Indian topics.

After India's independence in 1947, the Watumulls celebrated from Hawaii, decorated their store, offered 10% discount and donated sales proceeds to Indian charities. They later funded the installation of a Mahatma Gandhi statue on Waikiki beach.

In 1973, J Watumull Fund was established to promote Indian Culture and medical advancement in US and India.

Over the years, the family business diversified. They expanded from retail to real estate, with Jhamandas keeping retail and Gobindram focusing on real estate.

In 2014, the Watumull family proudly celebrated 100 years of business. From a single shop to an empire, their legacy continues through philanthropy, funding hospitals, schools, & art programs in Hawaii and India including engineering schools and hospitals in Mumbai and Mount Abu.

The Watumull family legacy continues under Gulbarai Watumull, who leads with his wife Indru and their grandchildren, honoring a century-old history that began with one determined step into the unknown.

In one interview, Gulabrai Watumull advised young entrepreneurs" Use Hard Work and common sense and get involved in a thing you like and can be successful at. The most important thing is to be happy with what you're involved in."

Jeffrey Watumull, great grandson of Gobindram, is a philosopher and the Director of Artificial Intelligence at Oceanit, a science and technology company.

Through dedication to both business and philanthropy, the Watumull family has made a lasting impact, honoring the legacy started by Jhamandas over a century ago and building strong ties between Hawaii and India.