Hauʻoli Lā Kamehameha
Hauʻoli Lā Kamehameha
I worked very hard on this collection, as best I could, to have it ready for this special day. Specifically releasing these pieces on June 11th was my way of achieving meaningful intention on such a momentous occasion.
Of course, I do my best in creating all my products. Majority of the pieces I make are purchased with the intention of being a gift to celebrate some sort of special occasion. Whether a family is celebrating a graduation, welcoming a new family member into the family, a birthday, or just simply indulging in a self-spoiling treat, I love that I can be a small part in celebrating that moment. To me, that’s what I find fulfilling and what gives meaning in being a handcrafted maker.
This collection however; the emotions felt different.
Before curating my final video to showcase all the pieces in this collection, I didn’t realize how much mana this collection would have on me. As I put together the short videos and pictures, and saw my creation process come to life, I couldn’t help but get emotional. Slightly teary eyed, I filled with pride, happiness, sadness, relief, and everything else in between.
Initially, my opinion was this: “Hawaiian print” or themed products, designs etc. is a sure-fire way to make money. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of using the “Hawaiian-ness” in business and monetize the heck out of it. But some people, including me, don’t really see what’s beneath that. The feeling of mixed emotions was probably my realization that it’s not just about the lei prints, the palaka, or the tribal designs being “good to look at” or “what the people (customers) want”. It’s about the representation of a culture and the attempts to perpetuate it because culture is what brings people together. As a native Hawaiian, the more I create with Hawai’i inspired materials, the more I feel that mana. I may not know how to ‘Olelo Hawai’i very well or know every historical date and fact of the Hawaiian culture, but I do feel that pride in being able to share and perpetuate the culture in other ways.
Most collections or pieces that I create don’t fully resonate with me because it’s not meant for me. The blankets, the burp cloths, etc. They’re meant for other people, to celebrate them and whatever season of life they’re in. Today, I am glad to have created a collection that will not only resonate with you but with me too!
Hand sewn with love, my hope is that each piece lasts forever and ever. I think the reason why I love making blankets, for example, is because I know it will most probably become a family heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation. That is my contribution. To the people of Hawai’i and to the Hawaiian culture. So just like Kamehameha did, with my handmade pieces, I hope to bring people together, remind them to keep moving forward, and to most importantly, strive for the summit.
Hauʻoli Lā Kamehameha.
Mau ke Aloha, No Hawai’i.
Kūlia i ka nuʻu ā me Imua.