Our Founder
After spending nearly two decades in Los Angeles working in imagery and cinematography, Native Hawaiian Gayla Young returned home to Oʻahu with a new dream: to create a neighborhood bakeshop where people could reconnect over the sweet treats they grew up with.
She envisioned a place that honored the flavors of old Hawaiʻi—where warm malasadas, handcrafted ice cream, and nostalgic desserts brought back memories of childhood, family gatherings, and backyard potlucks. Before opening, Gayla spent more than a year developing her recipes—perfecting over 100 batches of malasadas and crafting ice cream flavors from scratch, inspired by the comfort and joy of local favorites.
When it came time to name the business, Gayla wanted something that felt deeply connected to the island—simple, recognizable, and rooted in home. The name “Pipeline” came to her during a drive to the North Shore, while listening to the audio book Onward by Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. It immediately resonated with her: a nod to Hawai‘i’s iconic surf culture, a feeling of flow, and a name that locals and visitors alike would remember.
Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery opened its doors officially on Sept. 8, 2016 and became a beloved part of the Kaimukī community—serving locals, welcoming visitors, and creating desserts that sparked joy and nostalgia.
In 2024, Pipeline opened its second location in Las Vegas—a city often called the "Ninth Island" for its strong Hawaiian ties. This new location, simply called Pipeline Malasadas™ is Las Vegas's first dedicated malasada shop, focusing entirely on the treat that started it all. Freshly fried to order, just like in the islands, the malasadas are handcrafted with aloha and served warm, golden, and irresistibly fluffy in a variety of sugars and fillings.
Pipeline’s brand reflects a deep connection to island life: easygoing, welcoming, and full of flavor. From the name itself—evoking O‘ahu’s iconic surf culture—to the simple, neighborhood-style atmosphere, Pipeline is about more than desserts; it’s about comfort, connection, and sharing aloha with Hawaii’s Favorite Donut™
With a modern take on beloved local classics like malasadas, homemade ice cream and the signature Cake Bomb®, the brand has become a favorite across generations. Its expansion to Las Vegas as the city’s first dedicated malasada bakery is a reflection of Pipeline’s growing reach while staying true to its roots.
Pipeline is known not just for its delicious malasadas, but for its aloha spirit: honoring Hawaiian heritage, using family recipes, avoiding artificial coloring and preservatives, and aiming to connect people — friends, families, communities — through simple, nostalgic treats
The Aloha Spirit is a core Hawaiian value that emphasizes love, kindness, respect, and compassion. It promotes harmony within communities, encourages positive relationships, and serves as a guiding principle for treating others with empathy and dignity. In Hawaiʻi, it shapes daily life, cultural identity, and even state law. Beyond the islands, the Aloha Spirit inspires people around the world to lead with heart and foster understanding across cultures. It’s our mission to keep the aloha spirit alive through the sharing of our malasadas on and off the islands.
Located on Oʻahu’s North Shore, the Banzai Pipeline—often simply called "Pipeline"—is one of the most renowned surf spots in the world. Known for its powerful, hollow waves that crash over a shallow reef, it attracts elite surfers looking to surf and get in a barrel at Pipeline.
Over the decades, Pipeline evolved from a feared wave to a proving ground for the world’s best surfers, playing host to legendary contests like the Pipe Masters and helping define modern surfing culture. While it draws thousands of spectators and surfers each winter, Pipeline remains a place of both beauty and danger, deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi’s surf history and natural heritage.
Inspired by the legendary waves of Hawaii's North Shore, Pipeline Malasadas blends the spirit of surf culture with the sweet, golden tradition of malasadas. Our brand is rooted in the natural rhythm and beauty of the ocean — from the soft curves of rolling waves to the crisp blues and foamy whites that define coastal life. Every detail in our branding reflects the fluidity and energy of the sea. The oceanic color palette — white wash, seafoam teals, sun-washed blues and deep ocean— evokes the peaceful yet powerful essence of the shoreline. O ur packaging tells a story . Each box size reflects a journey through the ocean:
packaging tells a story . Each box size reflects a journey through the ocean:
This color progression brings the ocean’s natural gradient to life, turning every order into a visual and flavorful experience. Flowing shapes and patterns inspired by waves, tides, and shells reinforce the coastal energy we celebrate in every bite.
While Hawai‘i is celebrated for its breathtaking beaches, these shores represent more than just natural beauty. In Hawaiian culture, beaches hold deep spiritual significance, symbolizing a sacred connection to the land and sea. Inspired by this relationship, Pipeline Malasadas™ is committed to protecting the ocean by promoting sustainability and reducing single-use plastics—because we all share the responsibility to mālama (care for and love) our oceans.
Driven by a deep passion for environmental sustainability, we are committed to educating and empowering customers to make informed choices about waste, recycling, and the lasting effects of single-use plastics on our planet—especially our beaches and marine ecosystems. With a focus on community engagement and environmental awareness, we strive to turn everyday conversations into opportunities for positive change. Through accessible education, practical tips, and a dedication to transparency, we want to help individuals and businesses understand how their actions impact the environment and how they can be part of the solution.
That’s why we choose not to use plastic bags, utensils, or water bottles. These common single-use items are some of the most frequently found pollutants on beaches and in oceans, where they harm wildlife, pollute ecosystems, and take hundreds of years to break down. By eliminating them from our operations, we aim to lead by example and show that small, conscious changes can lead to big environmental impacts
Gayla Young is a native Hawaiian entrepreneur, creative, and community‑builder that founded Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery and Pipeline Malasadas.
After graduating from Kaimuki High School, Gayla spent nearly 20 years in Los Angeles, building a successful career in imagery, branding, and visual storytelling. Though she had no formal culinary training, she returned home to Hawaiʻi with a mission: to create a bakery that honored tradition, celebrated community, and served scratch-made desserts that felt like home. She spent over a year perfecting her malasada recipe—testing more than 100 versions—before opening Pipeline in 2016.
Since then, Pipeline has become a fixture in the local food scene, known not only for its delicious offerings but for its commitment to quality, community, and culture. Gayla was an early adopter of nationwide malasada shipping and used social media to expand Pipeline’s reach far beyond the islands.
In 2025, she brought her vision to the mainland with the launch of Pipeline Malasadas in Las Vegas , offering her iconic and authentic malasadas to a growing audience of locals, transplants, and travelers hungry for a taste of home.
Beyond her work as a business owner, Gayla is deeply passionate about empowering women entrepreneurs , animal welfare , and the preservation of Native Hawaiian culture and values . These commitments influence every aspect of her brand, from sourcing and storytelling to community involvement and charitable partnerships. With every malasada, Gayla Young is building more than just a donut shop—she’s creating a movement rooted in authenticity, cultural pride, and the joy of sharing something meaningful.
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Sharing the taste of Aloha
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