Aloha Collection x WBS Exclusive: Lei Kala Day Tripper
The inspiration for the design elements for our collaboration with Aloha Collection comes from the legend of the waters Kawehewehe- now known as Pops surf break, outside of Grays Beach in front of the Sheraton Waikīkī. Hawaiians once came here with lei kala offerings to relieve their wrongdoings and ailments.
"Limu kala, along with limu in general, plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. Unfortunately, its decline can be attributed to overharvesting, excessive use of the reef, and the lack of public practices to educate ocean visitors about the importance of avoiding reef damage. Limu kala was once abundant in the area of Kawehewehe, but it has become increasingly difficult to find.
The design is a patchwork, including the repetition of lei kala, kapa cloth patterns, and a vintage surf image. Kapa cloth is a traditional Hawaiian barkcloth made from the inner bark of the paper mulberry. The repeating blue diamond shape pattern is representative of water and Waikīkī, which means spouting fresh water. The color choices reflect the natural elements of the limu and the color of the sea.
Continuing to use these original Hawaiian place names and sharing their stories is important to honor and preserve the culture for future generations.
A portion of the proceeds will go to Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo to support its work with the Limu Hui and other grassroots stewards of Hawaiʻi’s nearshore environments, helping to restore socio-cultural ecosystems so native limu can thrive on our shorelines once again.- https://kuahawaii.org/limu-