This button up aloha shirt features our Kihi Lau Nui print on Shadow material with Moss and Sweet Pea Ink. 

Kihi Lau Nui

There are many varieties of sweet potato.  Before modern times, ʻuala culture in Hawaiʻi was second to taro, with species selected most suited for the localities.  Names described shape and growth habit of leaf and the color of the tuber’s flesh and skin.

The veins of leaves varied from green through pink and purple. The skin of the tubers differed from white through yellow, light cream, brown, to pinks and more.  

Kihi-lau-nui describes the pointed large leaf variety.  Translated simply, “large-leaf-kihi,” gives us the image of a sharp point.

ʻUala-kaʻa is a street in the neighborhood of Makiki, Honolulu, Oʻahu.  Its name, “Rolling sweet potato,” comes from an old story of a rat biting into the potato causing it to roll downhill and sprout.  King Kamehameha I planted many sweet potatoes here.  This layout was inspired by this street’s name and its story.

Inspired by the ivy-league shirts of the early 1900s, the fabric designs are pure Hawai‘i, and the look is pleasingly fresh. The Button Up is an open front, tapered shirt with a full length placket. Coconut buttons are featured on the stand-up, button-down collar and on the front placket. Tuck it in or leave it out over the trousers for a more casual look. Either way, it's the perfect touch of crisp aloha!