Woven with Purpose: The New Unahi Wai Collection, A Collaboration with Pa'ele Kiakona

Sometimes, a collection of clothing is more than just fabric and design. Sometimes, it's a living story, a tangible piece of a journey. Our new Unahi Wai Collection is exactly that, a profound expression of healing, connection, and the unwavering spirit of Lahaina. It’s a project born from the very heart of our community, carrying the weight of our past and the hope for our future.

Māla: Where Our Story Flows

At the core of Unahi Wai lies the powerful narrative of Māla, Lahaina. For far too long, the vibrant life force of Māla suffered. Vital freshwater, meant to nourish its ecosystem and flow freely to the ocean, was diverted. This imbalance left its mark, perhaps most painfully seen in the alarming disappearance of the Nenue fish. Even before the devastating fires of August 8th, our 'āina faced its own quiet struggles. The fire, in its heartbreaking aftermath, only amplified a truth we already knew: the health of our environment, its resilience, is inseparable from our own well being.

But today, we look to Māla with renewed hope. We celebrate the incredible return of life, a direct result of correcting this long standing imbalance, setting the waters free to flow to the ocean. The very design of Unahi Wai, reflecting the intricate scales of the Nenue, is our symbol for this powerful restoration. It’s a testament that healing our land is the first step in healing ourselves.

A Collaboration Born of Purpose: Celebrating Pa'ele Kiakona

This collection is particularly special because it marks Henōhea's very first collaboration, and it's with someone we deeply respect and admire: Pa'ele Kiakona. Pa'ele is truly a force for positive change in our community. He is a steadfast community advocate, dedicated to aloha 'āina, the visionary President of Save Honolua Foundation, and a recent appointee to the Maui Board of Water Supply. His deep understanding of our natural resources and dedication to protecting them are simply unmatched.

But beyond his impressive titles, Pa'ele is a man of immense integrity and heart. He's been a fearless leader in the devastating aftermath of the Lahaina fire, offering strength and guidance when our community needed it most. To us, he's more than a colleague; he's 'ohana, he's the Godfather to Henōhea, and truly an amazing community member with the biggest heart.

Our connection with Pa'ele runs deep, as we stand shoulder to shoulder as  lead organizers for Lahaina Strong. This shared commitment to our community's recovery has infused every aspect of Unahi Wai. It was precisely this profound connection to our land and water, his tireless advocacy, and his immense character that made him the only choice for Henōhea's first collaboration. We sought to translate his deep understanding and our shared mission with Lahaina Strong into wearable art. In fact, the Unahi Wai design was hand drawn by Pa'ele himself, infusing every piece with his direct connection to this powerful story.

Beyond the Design: Our Lahaina Strong Commitment to 'Aina and Wai

Through Lahaina Strong, we are a grassroots, community led organization born from the ashes, dedicated to ensuring the voice of Lahaina’s people is centered in its recovery and rebuilding process. While our early efforts focused on immediate relief, our work has evolved to address the long term needs of our community. Today, we are deeply focused on driving housing solutions, successfully championing state legislation like SB2919, organizing vital community events, establishing neighborhood watches, and leading crucial ʻāina days and beach cleanups.

Our work goes far beyond temporary aid, tirelessly advocating for a recovery that is grounded in cultural integrity, environmental stewardship (especially for our ʻāina and wai), and enduring aloha for our community’s future. The Unahi Wai Collection is simply another way we continue that vital work. It's a tangible extension of our Lahaina Strong efforts around ʻāina and wai, reminding us all of the profound interconnectedness of our healing, how caring for our natural resources directly impacts the well being of our community. Through wearable art, we carry these stories and this kuleana forward.

The TENCEL™ Promise: Fashion that Honors Our Values

To truly honor this story, our choice of material for the Unahi Wai Collection was paramount. We chose TENCEL™, a premium, plant-based fiber crafted from sustainably sourced wood pulp. We want our clothing to not just look good, but to feel good, and to do good.

TENCEL™ offers a lightweight, breathable feel with a beautiful drape, creating timeless pieces that hold their shape. But its significance goes deeper. It's biodegradable, ensuring that at the end of its long life, it can naturally return to the earth without leaving harmful microplastics. TENCEL™ is also incredibly strong and durable, defying any notion that sustainable means fragile. And through its closed loop production system and OEKO-TEX® certification, we ensure that our commitment to mālama ʻāina (caring for the land) and mālama wai (caring for the water) is woven into every thread.

Yes, choosing TENCEL™ is a greater investment for us at Henōhea. But for us, it's an essential part of our promise to be better stewards of our 'āina. We believe fashion should heal, not harm.

Wear the Story. Live the Kuleana.

The Unahi Wai Collection invites you to wear a piece of Lahaina's spirit. With every garment, you're not just choosing effortless style and comfort; you're embracing a story of resilience, supporting a community in recovery, and honoring the deep kuleana we all share for our precious land and water.

Mahalo nui loa for being part of this journey. Together, we are LAHAINA STRONG.