Behind opaque glass doors imprinted with the triangular Mauna pattern, there is the muffled sound of singing and a strumming ukulele. Inside these doors lies an explosion of color, texture, and more notably the Hawaiian spirit.
The beloved Hawaiian fashion label, Manaola returned to Hilo for a lively and interactive pop-up in celebration of the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival. The pop-up took place at the Prince Kuhio Plaza from Tuesday, April 19, to Sunday, April 24.
Guests were able to shop classic Manaola designs and prints as well as experience the new Palapalai (fern leaf) motif in the latest designs. During the week, the Manaola team engaged the community with various events such as Manaola’s fourth annual Lei Ana ‘O Hilo (lei contest), live music, guest hula performances, giveaways, and games, a fashion show, and a Spirit Week.
During the Lei Ana ‘O Hilo, Manaola showed their appreciation for the culture of hula and the arts associated with it. Guest lei makers could participate in any of the four categories Wili, Haku, Kui, and Creative. The first place overall winner, Chaslen Hualani Ganir, took home a $1,000 cash prize.
“Our brand is built on indigenous artistry and the ability for us to connect time and space through designs and Hawaiian motifs that are familial, ancestral knowledge. And of course, help people to connect to different Hawaiian ideologies and Hawaiian values,” said Manaola Yap, Native Hawaiian hula practitioner and the fashion designer behind the label.
Yap took the stage with Kumu Hula Nani Lim Yap, Asia Lim Yap, and Jessica Kama dancing “Papalina Lahilahi,” sharing his love of Hawaiian culture. Live hula and songs were performed all week during the event by various guest artists.
The designer also led a scavenger hunt type giveaway where he asked mall-goers to bring up random items they might have on them to win free Manaola pareos. Precious T Palea, from Honaunau, was one of these lucky winners.
“I love shopping for Manaola because of the quality of their products, they put aloha into all of their work and every single Manaola worker had the aloha spirit. I will be attending next year to support local,” said Palea.
Classic Manaola couture pieces were on display throughout the pop-up; Yap says this was Manaola’s way of showing the Big Island community what the brand has been up to in the fashion world. Manaola’s scent and body line were also available for purchase, featuring the signature lei puakenikeni scent.
“This collection is inspired by my tutus house. This is the smell of the puakenikeni when she would pick it early in the morning and put them into steamer baskets, when the sun came up it would heat the steamer baskets and this aroma would fill her home,” said Yap.
This year, the pop-up molded the concepts of a nightclub, a boudoir, a bedroom, a kipuka forest, a stone garden, and an art museum together. Yap mentions that the kapa curtains draped from the ceiling and the projected constellations were intended to remind guests that the Hawaiian people are not only Earth-based but also celestially anchored. Hinting at the kipuka forest and stone garden themes, the pop-up featured ‘ili’ili pebbles gardens peppered with Kinolau indigenous plants. A nod to the designer’s ancestral ties to Ka’u.
“It’s worth all the hard work because it’s the smiles you see on their faces when they walk in, they appreciate us going the extra mile and we love doing it. Anything to support indigenous culture,” said Yap.