Whatâs fashion-forward on spring and summer runways is womenâs long dresses and menâs shirts adorned in flowers, a style thatâs always current in Hawaii â the style of aloha. Island style, often referred to as aloha wear, is a culturally-inspired design that has been admired throughout the world for decades.
To embrace our favorite Island style, start with âMay Day as Lei Day in Hawaiiâ and don your floral best. Poet laureate Don Blanding felt that the making and wearing of lei should have its own special day. His co-worker at the Honolulu Star Bulletin, Grace Tower Warren, enthusiastically agreed and suggested that the day should coincide with May Day, held annually on the first of May. She coined the phrase, âMay Day is Lei Day in Hawaiiâ. Also embracing the idea of Lei Day were Leonard âRedâ and Ruth Hawk who composed May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii, sung throughout the Islands every Lei Day. The first Lei Day celebration was held May 1, 1927 and was celebrated in downtown Honolulu. Today, Lei Day is a grand, cultural pageant that is celebrated at Kapiolani Park on Oahu as well as at other venues around the state.
Most families in Kailua celebrate Lei Day watching their children in a variety of school performances that include Hawaiian chants and hula. Lei are often made, exchanged and worn that day. Although not usually required, students often give their teachers lei on this special day too.
If you donât have the skills or the materials to make your own lei, lei can be purchased at our favorite florists in Kailua. Stop by and chat with the artistic floral experts at the Pali Florist & Gift Shop or Picket Fence Florist. Both are family-owned and operated businesses serving the Windward community.
Since 1958, Pali Florist & Gift Shop has been a fixture in Kailua. You can often find owner Bob Ciaccio, who took over the business from his dad, creating beautiful arrangements and talking story in his intimate, bustling shop on Kuulei Road. Despite how busy Bob is, he, or his knowledgeable staff, is always generous and thoughtful in helping you select the appropriate lei or floral arrangements for the occasion.
Sadie Akamine and her family have been using their artistic talents to design floral arrangements and lei for Kailuaâs residents for more than 30 years. She is the owner of Picket Fence Florist on Hekili Street. The charming shop offers creative floral designs, baskets and gifts and, will help you choose the correct lei for any event, and especially for Lei Day, including haku lei.
Aside from Lei Day, lei are worn and given for welcomes and hospitality as well as special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, job promotions, and dedications. Haku lei are the flowers worn on your head and are made to order. Kailuaâs florists are happy to help with your selection, but if the occasion is on a holiday, it is suggested lei and especially haku lei are ordered at least a few days ahead of time. Lei can also be purchased at markets that have florist departments or refrigerated cases for the quick grab and go.
While Lei Day is specific to wearing floral or Hawaiian designs such as muumuu and aloha shirts, everyday in Hawaii is appropriate for aloha attire â and Kailua is the place for shopping for the best.
Kailua is the home of Manuhealii. Perfecting the brand since 1985, Manuahealii recently reopened a brightly, renovated space on Hoolai Street across the street from Kalapawai Cafe. This fashion gallery features a unique modern take on traditional Island wear. The locally-owned and operated business utilizes all of the Lunn familyâs talents. Danene Lunn works with her husband, Pono, and son, Lokahi, to create the graphic prints adorning the 24-piece collection that changes every month. Their other sons, Laamea and Keaka handle accounting/inventory and website, respectively.
Manuhealii designs feature easy-going, yet current silhouettes with bold prints and vibrant colors. The winning combinations transcend generations and genders. Men, women, and children of all ages are drawn to these graphic pieces that evoke the spirit of Hawaii and inspire aloha.
On the other side of Kailua Road is a boutique that showcases Joan Simon Smoyerâs Noa Noa collection. Smoyer has been designing clothes at the forefront of Island fashion since the 1970s and her first store in Hawaii dates back to 1983. Her collection is hand-batik fabrics of cottons, rayons, silks, bamboo blends, and linens in flowing designs for men, women and children that remain timeless and modern. The bold prints echo the themes of traditional Hawaiian and Pacific Islander tapa cloth. The silhouettes include aloha shirts, tops, skirts, dresses, and sarongs that can go from a wedding to poolside. And, of course, all Noa Noa collections are appropriate aloha wear for any occasion. Youâll also find exclusive and one-of-a-kind jewelry in the shop to embellish your high-fashion aloha attire.
Another local family business, Global Village, opened in Kailua in 1995. The Ah-Chick women, Sharrie, and daughters, Debbie and Dawn, had a shared vision for a forward-thinking, globally-inspired store. The threesome filled their Kailua shop with an eclectic mix of fashion, accessories and gifts from around the world. Global Village has since refashioned itself while maintaining its unique charm and popularity. The current location on Kailua Road with the storefront facing Hahani Street is now a more intimate space featuring Island-inspired clothing for men, women and the littlest of keiki.
Global Villageâs current focus is on local artisans and designers such as Native Hawaiian-owned Kane Clothing Company offering separates for women in Hawaii-inspired designs and aloha wear. In the mix at Global Village are menâs aloha shirts from designers such as Reyn Spooner and Tori Richards. Even babies are ready to spread aloha in aloha shirts, onesies, T-shirts, etc. from local designers Aloha Baby and Lyric Hawaii. At Global Village, âMade in Hawaiiâ designers plus products made in the USA are proudly displayed alongside those created by eco-minded businesses.
This doesnât mean these are the only stores selling aloha wear â check out Olive & Oliverâs, Aloha Beach Club, and a variety of other boutiques and surf stores in Kailua for aloha shirts and menswear. Many of the shops have dresses and tops fit for any occasion calling for aloha wear. Lei Day is only once a year, but dressing Island-style with aloha is welcome every day.