This Merrie Monarch season, we’re honored to be part of the Hānau Hou Fashion Show—a space that celebrates growth, evolution, and the continuation of ʻike through design.
This year, our collection is rooted in the Waikoloa Dry Forest—one of the last remaining examples of Hawaiʻi’s lowland dry forest ecosystem. Once abundant across our islands, these forests have been reduced to a fraction of what they once were. Today, they hold some of our most resilient and rare native plants—species that have adapted to thrive in some of the harshest conditions.
Through this collection, we’re honoring that resilience.
Each piece draws inspiration from the forms, textures, and relationships found within the dry forest. This is a place where survival is not passive—it’s active, intentional, and deeply rooted. That manaʻo has guided both our design process and the way these pieces have come together.
Wearable art isn’t something we produce often—it requires a different level of time, care, and intention. This show gave us space to explore that more deeply.
Through the wearable art portion of this collection, we’ve been able to experiment—working with embroidery, upcycling, fabric printed through more sustainable methods, supporting printers like Aloha Cut & Cloth, and incorporating block printing into our process. These pieces reflect both where we’ve been and where we’re continuing to grow.
Alongside this work, we’ve partnered with Sugar Caddy to create an accessible extension of the collection—pieces that carry the same depth of story and intention, but in forms that can be worn more easily in everyday life. Their garments are made from recycled plastics, adding another layer of intention to how these pieces are created and worn.
Several of the garments and accessories created for this show will be one of a kind. They reflect experimentation, process, and a commitment to keeping culture, ʻike, and aloha ʻāina at the center of every step.
In alignment with this collection, a portion of proceeds will be donated to the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative—supporting the restoration and protection of one of Hawaiʻi’s most endangered ecosystems.
If you’re in Hilo for Merrie Monarch, you’ll be able to shop select pieces in person during our pop-up at:
Sangha Hall with Kākoʻo Hawaiʻi Market Thursday, April 9 – Saturday, April 11
You’ll find different parts of the collection across both booths—
Dry fit pieces will be available at our booth, while polos will be available at Sugar Caddy’s.
You’ll also find patches from our sister brand, North South, featured throughout the collection and available in person.
North South will also be popping up that same week at ʻImiloa:
Wednesday, April 8 – Saturday, April 11
If you’re not able to join us in person, the collection will be released in two parts:
In-shop release: Wednesday, April 16
This drop will include apparel.
Online release: Friday, April 10 at 10AM HST at KakouCollective.com
This drop will include select pieces from the collection, excluding apparel and Merrie Monarch pop-up exclusives.
We’re looking forward to being part of this week—not just as vendors, but as contributors to a larger story. Merrie Monarch has always been about honoring what came before while continuing to create space for what comes next.
