Ralph Malani left Hawaii for Los Angeles planning on a career in fashion design, but when the first job his degree got him was working in a sweatshop, a friend suggested cosmetology instead. Cosmetology credentials in hand, Malani talked his way into a job with famed Beverly Hills stylist Jose Eber, and he was on his way.

Malani returned to Hawaii in 1997 and made a name for himself. In 2006 he responded to photographers’ inquiries about ethnic Polynesian models by opening the Hawaii Polynesian Model & Talent agency. In 2009 he presented the original Hawaii Fashion Week and produced the Mr. and Miss Polynesia Pacific Pageant.

He became known as a “stylist to the stars” for his work with Anuhea, Mailani, Raiatea Helm and Amy Hanaiali‘i Gilliom, and as the official backstage hairstylist of the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards show.

In recent years Malani, 46, has also worked full time as a film and television hairstylist.

JOHN BERGER: What are some of your funniest experiences on set?

RALPH MALANI: One was when we were on set in Kalaeloa for “Inhumans” and a wild pig came out of the woods. The Los Angeles crew thought it was so cute and wanted to feed it, and we kept telling them, “It’s a WILD pig!”

Then there was the time we were filming in Waikiki with about 100 extras playing tourists. I saw this Japanese woman with her bangs all crooked, and I went to fix them and she freaked out ’cause she was a real tourist.

JB: What is one of the most unusual places you’ve worked?

RM: Dubai. There’s crazy wealth, and then four blocks away you have incredible poverty. Kinda like here.

JB: What’s the most unusual request you’ve gotten as a stylist?

RM: I’ve had people ask for crazy colors and crazy haircuts, and the hardest thing for me is when I know in my heart that it’s going to look really bad.

I’ve gotten to the point now where I will send them somewhere else and have them hate that person instead of hating me.

JB: What would you like to be doing five years from now?

RM: Me and my husband go to Teahupoo, Tahiti, about four times a year. We cut hair right on the water’s edge under a coconut tree, and they pay us with money or black pearls or fish. I’d like to build a little shack under that coconut tree and cut hair.

“On the Scene” appears on Sundays in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Reach John Berger at jberger@staradvertiser.com.