Shaped by Design.
Built for Performance.

The HK Lighting story begins with our founder, Hiroshi Kira.

His commitment to timeless design, powerful performance, and enduring quality laid the foundation for the company and continues to guide every product we make today.

Born in 1936 in the northern Japanese village of Tokamachi, Hiroshi Kira discovered early on that his interest in design would shape the direction of his life’s work.

In 1956, Mr. Kira moved to the United States to attend California State University, Long Beach, where he earned a degree while teaching Industrial Design.

He was later honored with the university’s highest distinction, the Distinguished Alumni Award, for outstanding achievement in his field.

In 1962, Mr. Kira joined Henry Dreyfuss, a pioneer of industrial design known for his emphasis on form, function, and human experience.

Under Dreyfuss’s mentorship, he developed a deep understanding of user-centered design and lasting utility.

In 1986, he introduced the Lumiere 203, one of the first outdoor accent lights. Its compact housing was the first to safely encapsulate the new MR16 lamp without overheating.

Combined with an innovative swivel and locking system, the design set a new standard for adjustability and launched an entirely new product category.

Throughout his career, Mr. Kira advanced the art and science of outdoor lighting. He secured patents for fixture architecture, LED modules, and modular service systems that still guide our design approach today.

Mr. Kira’s contributions earned industry-wide recognition, a testament to his ability to unite refined form with lasting function.

Today, his legacy lives on in products that illuminate with purpose, enrich design, and elevate the experience of place.

“We try to come up with a solution that is beyond the obvious. Anyone can do obvious things; we go beyond the obvious.”
Hiroshi Kira
“We work with lighting designers to create a more dynamic effect, like a movement, like when the sun is going down there’s a certain effect, and a full moon will have a different effect, the effect becomes a major factor and that will contribute to the happiness of the people.”
Hiroshi Kira
“I try to make the fixture as small as possible, as inconspicuous as possible... interacting within an educational process, we are responding to the lighting designer’s needs.”
Hiroshi Kira
“I always try to put a story into the product… there’s a graphic quality when you look at an object. I try to make the products be their own salesperson.”
Hiroshi Kira
“Simplicity is the result of a very complex thought process, so when we talk about simplicity, it’s never easy because there are so many challenges to making it simple.”
Hiroshi Kira

Inspired by Mr. Kira’s legacy, we continue to craft lighting solutions that balance timeless form with exacting performance. 

Each product integrates seamlessly with residential systems and enhances the outdoor experience through thoughtful detail.

“I am creating a paintbrush to draw light effects and art on a landscape canvas.”