Collection: Unahi Wai

For decades, the vibrant landscape of Māla, Lahaina, endured the profound impact of freshwater mismanagement. Essential water was diverted, rarely reaching the ocean, leading to the alarming disappearance of the Nenue fish. This imbalance deeply affected the ecosystem, long before the devastating fire.

The Lahaina fire, in its painful aftermath, underscored a vital truth: the critical importance of healthy, resilient ecosystems and responsible resource management. While the immediate devastation was to structures and lives, it also brought into sharp focus the existing environmental vulnerabilities exacerbated by past mismanagement.

Now, we celebrate the return of life to Māla. In a collaboration with Pa'ele Kiakona, the Unahi Wai Collection honors the Nenue's return, a direct result of correcting this long standing imbalance and allowing freshwater to flow freely to the sea once again. The design, reflecting the nenue's scales, is a powerful symbol of life restored. It's a testament to this truth: healing our land begins with honoring its natural processes.

This collection is woven from our kuleana, our deep responsibility to be better stewards of the ʻāina (land) and our precious natural resources, especially wai (water). That's why we chose TENCEL™. A premium, plant based fiber crafted from sustainably sourced wood pulp, TENCEL™ is celebrated for its light, breathable feel, smooth finish, and clean, structured drape. It has no stretch, making it ideal for creating timeless pieces that hold their shape while feeling weightless against the skin.

What makes TENCEL™ truly special goes far beyond feel. It's biodegradable, meaning that at the very end of its life, it returns to the earth without leaving behind harmful microplastics or toxins in our precious wai and ʻāina. Yet, this is not a fragile fabric. TENCEL™ is known for its strength, durability, and long lasting quality, made to move with you through life while also respecting the land we walk on. Our commitment extends to its production; TENCEL™ is created in a closed loop system that recycles water and solvents, significantly reducing environmental impact. It's also OEKO-TEX® certified, rigorously tested and cleared of harmful substances, making it safer for our bodies and better for our keiki’s future.

With every design, we aim to do better. While this material comes with a greater investment for us, we felt it was important to make that commitment in order to be more responsible stewards of our ʻāina. We're dedicated to creating clothing that honors the land we come from, the people we serve, and the stories we carry.

We believe our choices matter. That fashion should heal, not harm. That we must mālama ʻāina and mālama our bodies, with every decision, from the design to the fabric to the hands that bring it to life.

Wear this powerful story. Feel the connection.