Maui Jim sunglasses are a premium type of eyewear born on the beaches of Hawaii. Founded in 1980 by a fisherman named Jim Richards, he aimed to respond to the bright sun and harsh glare of the islands, all while enhancing the view. Richard's began selling sunglasses on the beaches of Hawaii when he discovered that regular sunglasses were ineffective at protecting his eyes from the harsh Hawaiian sun while he was fishing.

The fisherman began experimenting with different lens types and eventually developed a polarised lens that he felt was much more effective. As the brand's popularity grew, he began selling them worldwide.

Richard's is known as the original 'Maui Jim', and until 2022, Maui Jim was independently owned. However, the brand was taken over by Kering Eyewear in March 2022. Kering also owns several other luxury brands, including Balenciaga, Gucci and Bottega Veneta. All of which possess equal quality and style as Maui Jim frames and lenses. Maui Jim's original office is located in Lahaina, Maui, where they still design and test all of their sunglasses.