This Nā Lau Ulu Aloha Shirt features our Koamakuaʻole print on Dove material with Otter and Gecko ink. 

Koamakuaʻole

Gathering kinolau in the great forests surrounding Hilo, we are in awe of the towering koa. Koa are the giants of the native forest, providing shelter and nurturing the understory. The fallen koa leaves are always attractive, encouraging and nourishing.

At Kahikikolo, Kauaʻi, lives a legendary koa tree.  It is said to grow without trunk or roots, believed to be spreading on the ground like a creeper.  Literally, koa-makua-ʻole means koa-without-parents.

NĀ LAU ULU 2025

Our newest collection was inspired by a recent visit to the Waiākea Forest Reserve.  Towering koa trees, blooming ʻōhiʻa, and climbing ʻieʻie refreshed our spirits and we recall the teachings.  A healthy native forest is a reflection of a supportive community:  nurturing, nourishing, and sustaining each other.

We singled out kinolau plants that we place on the kuahu, the hula altar, for this offering.  Their role in the forest reminds us of the kuleana at hand.  Each of the plants have a function in and out of the forest.  As pillars of the forest, they safeguard growth, gather water from the atmosphere, and provide materials for traditional craft.  

Actively maintaining a relationship with the forest and protecting it will insure that our children and grandchildren too, will have the forest within reach.

Woven to specifications by Oji Fiber of Tokyo, their OJO+ natural yarn is an organic environmentally friendly product. With the attention to detail and the refinement of the silhouette, each shirt exudes coolness, offering a refreshing appearance.  Working with Kamakura Shirts, with their meticulous handcrafting of shirts, we share the legacy in making our Nā Lau Ulu shirts a special offering.