Motherhood and Artistry: How My Son Inspires My Designs

As a mother and an artist, I find that these two aspects of my life are deeply intertwined, each enriching and inspiring the other. Today, I'm excited to share how my journey through motherhood, specifically raising my curious and energetic son, has profoundly influenced my artistic vision and our family's commitment to cultural preservation through our business, Kākou Collective.

The Inspiration of a Curious Mind

Every day, I'm amazed by the curiosity and energy of my son. His inquisitive nature and constant questions about the world around him push me to see things with fresh eyes. This perspective has been invaluable in my design process, encouraging me to embrace continuous learning and wonder in my creations.

From the thoughtful questions he asks about our culture to the imaginative scenarios he creates during playtime, my keiki provides an endless well of inspiration. These moments of pure curiosity and creativity often find their way into my designs, infusing them with a sense of exploration and discovery that resonates with both children and adults alike.

A Family's Journey of Continuous Learning

My son's energetic approach to learning has had a profound impact not just on me, but on our entire 'ohana who are part of our business. His constant quest for knowledge challenges us to keep learning and growing. However, this journey is far from a picture-perfect scenario. It's a daily balancing act that often presents new obstacles and challenges.

The dynamic between our family life and our work at Kākou Collective isn't always seamless. We've found that maintaining this balance requires constant effort, clear boundaries, and mutual accountability. Each day, we navigate the complexities of growing our business, developing ourselves as people of Hawaii, and fulfilling our roles as parents.

This journey has taught us the importance of setting and respecting boundaries, both in our work and family life. We've learned to be intentional about carving out time for our son's needs, our business demands, and our personal growth as individuals rooted in Hawaiian culture. It's a continuous process of adjustment, requiring open communication and sometimes difficult decisions.

While there are moments of beautiful synergy, there are also times of tension and tough choices. We strive to keep each other accountable, always centering our son's best interests as we balance the demands of entrepreneurship with our commitment to cultural perpetuation and conscious parenting. This ongoing negotiation has become an integral part of our growth, pushing us to be more mindful, resilient, and adaptive in all aspects of our lives.

Kuleana and Cultural Preservation

Running Kākou Collective has been more than just a business venture for our 'ohana—it's become a pathway to deepening our connection with our Hawaiian heritage. Through our work, and inspired by our son's curiosity, we've come to understand the profound kuleana (responsibility) we have in perpetuating our culture.

This sense of duty has led us to an exciting new chapter in our lives: we're thrilled to announce that our son will be starting kula kaiapuni (Hawaiian language immersion school)! While my husband and I are not native speakers ourselves, we are blessed with an incredibly supportive community that has encouraged us to take this leap. Our decision stems from our desire to ensure that our keiki not only speaks the language of our ancestors but also embodies the values and worldview inherent in 'ōlelo Hawai'i.

We're excited to support our son on this journey to become not just a Hawaiian language speaker, but a Hawaiian language thinker. This transition represents a significant step in our family's commitment to cultural perpetuation, one that we approach with humility, enthusiasm, and gratitude for the community that surrounds us.

Language as a Bridge to Culture

Our journey with Kākou Collective has shown us the power of language in preserving and revitalizing culture. Each design we create, each story we tell through our products, is an expression of our cultural identity. By immersing our son in a Hawaiian language environment, we're providing him with the tools to deeply understand and perpetuate our culture in ways that go beyond what we could teach at home or through our business alone.

Weaving Together Family, Business, and Education

As we embark on this new educational journey, I'm excited to see how it will further inspire my artistry and our business. I anticipate new designs influenced by the mo'olelo (stories) and 'ōlelo no'eau (proverbs) that our son will learn and undoubtedly share with us in his enthusiastic way. This educational choice is not just about language acquisition; it's about fostering a holistic understanding of Hawaiian culture that will undoubtedly enrich our family life and the authentic voice of Kākou Collective.

Looking to the Future

The decision to enroll our keiki in kula kaiapuni feels like a natural progression of the values we've cultivated through Kākou Collective. It's a commitment to ensuring that the next generation not only appreciates but actively participates in the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture.

As a mother and an artist, I'm filled with anticipation for the ways this experience will shape our son, our family, and my creative process. His natural curiosity and energy will undoubtedly bring new dimensions to our learning journey. I look forward to sharing this adventure with you, our valued community, as we continue to grow, learn, and create together, inspired by the inquisitive spirit of our son.

A Heartfelt Mahalo to Our Community

As we embark on this new chapter of our journey, we are filled with immense gratitude for our amazing community. Your unwavering support has been the cornerstone of our growth, not just as a business, but as individuals striving to be better people of Hawaii.

It is because of your continued encouragement and aloha that Kākou Collective has been able to flourish. More importantly, your support has inspired us to dig deeper into our cultural roots and take this leap into Hawaiian language immersion for our keiki. Many of you have shared your own experiences, wisdom, and enthusiasm, which have been instrumental in our decision to embrace this new adventure.

Your belief in us and in the importance of perpetuating Hawaiian culture through language has been a driving force. We've learned so much from each of you – our customers, friends, and extended 'ohana. Every interaction, every shared story, has contributed to shaping our path and strengthening our resolve to create meaningful designs that resonate with our community.

As we step into this new chapter of language learning and cultural deepening, we warmly invite you to continue this journey with us. Your presence and support mean the world to us, and we're excited to share the growth, challenges, and joys that lie ahead.

Together, we're not just creating beautiful designs; we're weaving a stronger, more vibrant cultural fabric for all keiki, 'ohana, and future generations of Hawaii. Through our art and our actions, we strive to perpetuate and strengthen our rich cultural heritage, ensuring it thrives for years to come. This journey extends far beyond our own family – it's about nurturing a connection to Hawaiian culture for all who call these islands home. Mahalo nui loa for being an integral part of this collective effort. It truly is a Kākou thing – all-inclusive and involving everyone. Your support empowers us to continue this important work of cultural perpetuation through creativity and community engagement. Here's to the beautiful adventures that await us all as we continue to learn, grow, and create together, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come!

E mālama pono a hui hou!