This Nā Lau Ulu Aloha Shirt features our Nani Alani print on Heather Blue material with Cornflower and Sunny ink. 

Nani Alani

Lehua and the ʻōhiʻa trees are important for the aquifers on the Island of Hawaiʻi. The flowers drink the rainfall and through the tree trunk and root systems, the waters filter down to the water table.  We know of this from mele oli, describing this process in detail.  The ʻike kupuna continues to strengthen our foundation!

ʻŌhiʻa lehua blooms in various colors.  The orange blossom is striking and not common as the reds.  The many shades of orange makes it extra special!  When the morning sun shines upon the flowers, we are treated to an extraordinary light!

Lei of lehua are appreciated for it is a highly challenging skillset!  The memory of the Merrie Monarch stage filled with the stamens of lehua, fallen from the fresh lei on the hula dancer, is a sight to behold!

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.