Unahi Wai Destinee Maxi Dress

$98.00 USD

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The Destinee Maxi Dress in our Unahi Wai design is more than just a piece, it's a wearable tribute to a powerful story of restoration. This design honors the remarkable return of the Nenue fish to Māla Wharf. For decades, when precious freshwater was diverted from reaching the ocean, these vital fish vanished from these waters. The Unahi Wai pattern on this dress beautifully reflects the Nenue's scales, a vibrant symbol of life restored as water now flows freely to the sea once again.

This flowing, elegant dress features thicker straps for added support and beautiful gold hardware details that add a touch of sophistication. The dress is designed without stretch, but the smocked back ensures a custom fit that molds to your body beautifully. For added practicality, we've included pockets to keep your essentials close while maintaining a sleek, flattering look.

This piece tells a story rooted in Lahaina's landscape: for decades, freshwater mismanagement severely altered Māla, leading to the disappearance of the nenue. The devastation of the Lahaina fire painfully underscored the critical importance of healthy, resilient ecosystems and responsible resource management. Unahi Wai celebrates the Nenue's return, a direct result of correcting this long standing imbalance and allowing freshwater to truly "set the waters free." It's a testament to the truth that healing our land begins with honoring its natural processes.

Crafted from TENCEL™, a sustainable, plant-based fabric that is OEKO-TEX® certified, this dress is soft on the skin and eco-friendly, free from shedding microplastics that harm our wai, ʻāina, and ocean.

Features:

Thicker Straps: Provides added support for a comfortable, secure fit.
Gold Hardware: Elegant details that elevate the overall look.
Smocked Back: Ensures a custom, flexible fit that adapts to your body.
Pockets: Convenient and practical while maintaining a sleek, flattering silhouette.
Flowing Maxi Design: Effortless elegance with a flattering fit that moves beautifully with you.
Sustainable TENCEL™ Fabric: Eco friendly, soft on the skin, and gentle on the environment.

Fabric Care:

Machine wash cold with like colors, gentle cycle.
Do not bleach to preserve fabric quality and color.
Line dry to maintain shape and structure.
Iron on low heat if needed, taking care not to press directly on gold hardware.

Size	US Numeric Size (Approx.)	Length	Chest (1/2)	Waist (1/2)	Shoulder (Total Length)
S	4 - 6	48 3/4"	15 1/2"	14"	15 1/2"
M	8 - 10	49 1/4"	16 1/2"	15"	15 3/4"
L	12 - 14	49 3/4"	17 1/2"	16"	16"
XL	16	50 1/4"	18 1/2"	17"	16 1/4"
2XL	18 - 20	50 3/4"	19 1/2"	18"	16 1/2"

Fit Tip:

The Destinee Maxi Dress has a smocked back for a custom fit, allowing flexibility in sizing. If you're between sizes or prefer a more fitted look, consider sizing down. The dress offers a flowy, elegant silhouette, perfect for a range of body shapes!

Size Guide

The Darlene Dress features a relaxed, tiered fit. Measurements are taken with the garment laying flat. The bamboo fabric provides a comfortable stretch to accommodate your natural curves.

Darlene Dress Measurements
(Taken while garment is laying flat)

XS: 17.3" Bust | 31.1" Length
S: 18.1" Bust | 31.9" Length
M: 18.9" Bust | 32.7" Length
L: 19.7" Bust | 33.5" Length
XL: 20.5" Bust | 34.3" Length
2XL: 21.3" Bust | 35.4" Length
3XL: 22.0" Bust | 36.6" Length
4XL: 22.8" Bust | 37.8" Length

How to Measure:

Bust: Measure across the chest from underarm to underarm while the dress is flat.
Length: Measure from the top of the shoulder strap to the bottom hem.

Fabric & Care

Our pieces are crafted from a premium blend of 95% Bamboo and 5% Elastane. We chose this specific blend for its luxurious drape, softness, and breathable comfort, perfect for island living and gentle on sensitive skin.

Care Instructions
To preserve the life of your garment and the vibrancy of our signature ʻulu print:

Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with like colors.
Use mild, eco-friendly detergent to protect the natural fibers and AZO-free dyes.
Lay flat to dry is recommended, or tumble dry on low heat.
Iron on a low setting only if needed.
Avoid bleach or harsh chemicals, which can break down the integrity of the bamboo fibers.

A Note on Natural Processes
Because we prioritize OEKO-TEX® certified materials and reactive, AZO-free dyes, you may notice slight variations or a natural shift in color over time. We embrace these changes as a sign of the fabric’s natural integrity and our journey away from the harsh, toxic "perfection" of big box fashion.

Our Commitment

From Factory to Family
At Henōhea, we believe that the story of a garment begins long before it reaches your hands. The choices we make in our manufacturing process have a ripple effect that touches everyone involved, from the factory workers to the surrounding communities where our pieces are created.

Human Centered Production & Safety
Traditional textile manufacturing often exposes workers to hazardous chemicals and releases toxic runoff into their local water sources. By insisting on a closed-loop system and OEKO-TEX® certified materials, we are advocating for a safer environment for the hands that carefully craft our collections. Our use of AZO-free reactive dyes ensures that our colors bond to the fiber rather than leaching onto your skin or into the water. This choice minimizes the risk of respiratory issues and skin sensitivities for workers and protects the health of the communities surrounding our manufacturing facilities.

Protecting the ʻĀina and Beyond
When we keep solvents out of the environment at the source, we are protecting global waterways that eventually connect us all. For us, this is a commitment to the ʻāina that extends from the place of origin to right here in Maui, ensuring that the legacy we leave behind is one of abundance and health, not toxicity.

The Full Circle
While we strive for the highest standards, we want to be transparent: achieving a 100% toxic-free status is an almost impossible challenge in the current global textile industry. We recognize that perfection is not always attainable, but we are deeply committed to learning, growing, and pivoting with every collection to find cleaner ways forward not just for our customers, but for the people who make our brand possible and the world where our pieces eventually land.

Henōhea