THE BEGINNINGS
Xcel Hawaii, Inc. was established in July of 1982 by Ed D'Ascoli with a $1,000. investment and a bank loan of $5,000. His experience included manufacturing and exporting surfboards to Japan from Hawaii and helping create Japan's Victory wetsuits as an international brand from 1979 to1981. Ed began Xcel wetsuits in a bedroom of his house at Sunset Beach on Oahu, Hawaii. Concentrating on the surf and canoe paddling markets, the success of the brand prompted a quick move to a location in Haleiwa. By the end of 1982 Xcel began making diving wetsuits for commercial divers and the U.S. military and also began developing Lycra sun protection apparel. This rounded out the product lines that are the main focus of Xcel today.

Xcel’s growth during the 1980’s made it necessary to relocate to a larger location. In 1990 Xcel moved into its present location in Haleiwa,
a 13,615 square foot building owned by its president Ed D’Ascoli. In 1995, to better service retailers on the mainland, Xcel opened a warehouse in Huntington Beach, California. Xcel eventually opened two retail stores on the island of Oahu.

Xcel started in the surfing market with the goal of keeping the image of a core company that focuses on wetsuit development. Over the past 20 years Xcel has stayed on the cutting edge of material and design development. With its roots in Hawaii and warehouse and repair facility in California, Xcel has been able to develop a wide range of wetsuits from tropical to cold water designs. Xcel's emphasis on stretch, durability, fit and sealed seam construction is carried through on its men, women and kid's wetsuits.

Xcel’s wetsuit experience in diving is with the military, commercial and recreational divers in the cold and warm water markets. It entered the recreational dive market on the U.S. mainland in early 1995. By combining features from surfing and military and recreational diving wetsuits, Xcel entered the dive market with styles that are on the leading edge.

OPERATIONS
HAWAII
Focuses on manufacturing Lycra and wetsuits (warm water items), and miscellaneous wetsuits for the Hawaii market. General administration, design, R & D, marketing and promotions are maintained in the Haleiwa facility.

There are 2 retail locations on Oahu, with the original store housed in its Haleiwa facility and the other in ward warehouse Honolulu.