Collection: Kōnane Farm Store x Henōhea: 'ULU PALAKA

This collection is a true labor of love, woven directly from the fabric of our family and the history of the 'āina. This collaboration is a special creative union between Henōhea and Kōnane Farm Store, founded by my sister in love, Lexi Kōnane, a dedicated mother to our incredible nephews, Mana and Makali'i, and wife to my brother. As a brand deeply rooted in 'ohana (family), working with Lexi felt organic, special, and absolutely meant to be.

A Legacy of Resistance and Restoration

Our designs draw deep inspiration from two profound legacies, weaving together the story of our people and the story of the land.

The Spirit of Palaka: A Uniform of Solidarity Lexi’s influence invokes the Spirit of Palaka, a legacy that runs deep in our own family history. My grandfather was a Sakada, arriving from the Philippines to labor in the fields. During the intense labor strikes of the 1930s and 1940s, the "Big Five" plantation corporations attempted to maintain control by pitting ethnicities against one another—keeping Japanese, Filipino, and Chinese workers divided to prevent unionizing.

But the workers found a way to stand together. They adopted Palaka—the durable, checkered "denim of Hawaiʻi"—as a shared uniform of resistance. By wearing this pattern, they made a visual declaration that they were united across racial lines against the powers that be. This design honors the Sakadas and laborers who turned a simple work shirt into a powerful banner of defiance and local unity.

Malu 'Ulu O Lele: Restoring the Balance Our contribution is Malu 'Ulu O Lele, named for the ancient proverb "Lahaina i ka malu 'ulu o Lele" (Lahaina, in the shade of the breadfruit trees of Lele). This design remembers a time when Lele was a lush wetland, not a dry, sun-baked land. Historically, the massive diversion of water for those very same sugar plantations desiccated these lands, altering the ecosystem and creating the conditions for the devastating fires of August 8, 2023. As Lahaina rebuilds, we believe the blueprint for moving forward is found by looking back—a commitment to restoring the abundance, shade, and balance of the past.

Co-Creation + Sust'āinability

The Kōnane Farm Store story is one of profound resilience; Lexi’s work carries the kuleana (responsibility) of making sacred lā'au lapa'au accessible to our people. In honor of this powerful, land centered mission, we were meticulous in our design choices, focusing on sust'āinable fabrics like bamboo, cotton, and TENCEL™ as we always strive to do.

But the real excitement comes from you, our community! This unique collection is a co-creation, driven by the requests of our supporters and customers. We listened to what you loved and worked hard to develop brand new styles in the fabrics you asked for.

Introducing the Must Have Styles of the 'Ulu Palaka Collection:

• The Darlene Dress: Your request for a luxurious baby doll style dress is here, made with a comfortable bamboo blend that drapes beautifully. This style was introduced at the Maui County Fair and sold out in 1.5 days! 
• The Auli'i Dress: The other gorgeous baby doll style, crafted from the breathable, flowing TENCEL™ that you love.
• The Men's Keaka Aloha Shirt: Your wish for new men's wear is granted! The Keaka Aloha Shirt features a classic cut made from a soft TENCEL™-cotton blend perfect for any occasion.

This collection, merging the enduring style of Palaka with our Malu 'Ulu O Lele line, is our gift of aloha to our community. Everything you find here is made with intention, strength, and the spirit of our shared bond.