Photo by Lawrence Tabudro

Who’s making the runway noise these days? None other than Mika Kamohoalii’s Hawaiian-style designs have been raved about from New York to Milan.

A true Waimea boy, Maika Kamohoalii rode horses until grade school.

Backpack-wearing paniolos tied their noble horses to poles near campus before heading off to class.

Ashion designer and kumu hula Micah Kamohoalii and his entourage toppled the maison during New York Fashion Week.Photo courtesy Kamohoalii House

This mode of transport is perfect for the luxurious northern Big Island countryside of rolling hills, green pastures and cattle as far as the eye can see. The town sits 2,600 feet above sea level, with the majestic Mauna Kea as a backdrop, so the air is lively.

“I grew up in Waimea my whole life,” says Kamohoalii proudly. “My family is from this town and I’ve been telling people since my teens. My family will be here forever.”

Ashion designer and kumu hula Micah Kamohoalii and his entourage toppled the maison during New York Fashion Week.Photo courtesy Kamohoalii House

Growing up in a town of 400 people at the time, he learned the meaning of community at an early age. Everyone looked out for each other and we were never left out.

“The word community is ‘common’ and ‘unity’,” he says. “We learned that we had to do it because we had no other resources. There was no government money that got to us. We had to learn how to share, work together, and become a family unit.”

Whether in New York, Paris or London, Kamoho Ali’i emphasizes the importance of community. “I show what Hawaii can bring to the table – and it’s beauty in all shapes and sizes,” he says. Photo courtesy Kamohoalii House

So when New York Fashion Week came around and Kamoho Ali’i didn’t have any clothes he wanted to show, he called out to his community and they went through as usual.

It all started when Honokaa High School alumni, who have been creating and selling apparel through Dezigns by Kamohoalii since the early 2000s, set up a pop-up shop during a week-long cultural festival called Merrie Monarch. Fashion Week” and sold a wide range of products, from men’s and women’s clothing to pillows and coffee mugs. It was a successful, whirlwind weekend. Kamohoalii had nothing left. Then he got an email that he thought was too good.

Whether in New York, Paris or London, Kamoho Ali’i emphasizes the importance of community. “I show what Hawaii can bring to the table – and it’s beauty in all shapes and sizes,” he says. Photo courtesy Kamohoalii House

“I put it in my spam folder because I thought it was a hoax,” he says with a laugh. “Then the next day I was like, ‘Imagine if that’s true,’ and I didn’t really believe it, but I replied, ‘Of course, anything.’ We set up a Zoom call. But here I thought (people) would ask for Target and Walmart gift cards. I understand. Above.”

Kamohoalii says real fashion people, not fakes, saw his Terry Award-winning commercial. The commercial featured his ohana at the local heiau, on the beach, on horseback, and staying true to his Waimea roots. The Emmy-nominated Hawaii fashion showcase that premiered last year. As reality sets in, he yells, “Wait, no clothes!”

Whether in New York, Paris or London, Kamoho Ali’i emphasizes the importance of community. “I show what Hawaii can bring to the table – and it’s beauty in all shapes and sizes,” he says. Photo courtesy Kamohoalii House

“I spoke to my cousin, who is the chief operating officer, and he said, ‘Don’t worry. Okay.’ . “He called everyone in our town and my halau. Bring it all in. We need to use it and we’ll give it back to you.Everyone has come — and it’s a community for you.

“At New York Fashion Week, when people asked me, ‘How did you choose this collection?’

After a month of planning, fundraising and rehearsals, it’s time to show. Kamohoalii and his entourage of models, musicians and cultural practitioners have brought local fashion to the world stage: Hawaiian style. One of his draws to the show was Kamohoalii’s commitment to making sure the audience, which was packed with the best in the industry, knew the history behind the clothes they were seeing in front of them.

“I tell people that I am one of the fabric creators of the world. “I come from the people who processed the fabric, the people who created the material that became fashion. I spoke to

“I have to explain what they see so they can understand what they see. I want them to know that I grew up in my backyard.

The audience went wild with heartfelt commentary and a surprise performance by the final model, who performed a hula before leaving the stage. .

“It sounded like a football game,” Kamohoalii said, noting that many were moved to tears. “They were screaming. I knew people were snapping in the towel because it wasn’t justified.”

Showcase has landed Kamohoalii in publications such as vanity fair, trend, new york times When forbesto name a few, shortly thereafter another call was answered by a European fashion week official.

Kamohoalii currently participates in Milan Fashion Week. I just finished London Fashion Week and am about to catch the train to wrap up Paris Fashion Week.

“This has always been about my community,” he says. “It’s about coming together, drawing resources and making it happen. When they had to, their reaction was, ‘Nothing was up to Paris Fashion Week standards.’ I was like, “Hmm, is that a question, a statement, or a negative or positive remark?” My reply was, “Yes. That’s how we like it.”

“I show what Hawaii can bring to the table — and it is beauty in all shapes and sizes. If I was going to do Paris, I would get a Paris model. I’m not trying to do Paris, I’m trying to do Hawaii in Paris.”

Shows vary in each city, but all blend the traditional with the modern.In London, Kamohoalii pays tribute to the feathers worn by Hawaiian royalty. In Milan he demonstrates the creation of kapa. And in Paris, it’s all about lauhala and other finely woven items.

“I know there’s a language barrier when you hit France and Italy, but you don’t have to speak our language to understand the heart of Hawaii,” says Kamohoalii. “Our culture is so inspiring. It’s the drumbeat, it’s emotional. You don’t have to speak the same language to know and be moved by something powerful.”

“We hope to at least leave the impression that these countries are connected to each other by respecting their people, places, and histories, and having respect and love for everything around them. and share Aloha.”

In addition to the three fashion shows, Kamoho Ali’i will also hold three concerts in each major city. Amy Hanaiali’i, Kaina Nikahaunaele, and Jeff His Peterson-featured musical performance honors the Hawaiian monarchy and their time spent in Europe.

Kamohoalii has come a long way, both literally and figuratively, from the small town he dearly loves. He may have temporarily turned the country roads of the Big Island into the world’s best airstrip, but wherever his life has gone, he will always be a proud Waimea boy, and his community will continue to support him. is right next to

Design that tells “our story”

Photo by Lawrence Tabudro

Micah Kamohoalii’s vision for the brand came out of a slightly awkward situation. During college, he saved all his money to buy designer Hawaiian shirts. Feeling like he was the coolest person on the planet, he showed up to the party in his new outfit only to find ten other guys wearing the same outfit.

“We looked like a house band,” Kamohoalii says with a laugh.

From that experience, Kamohoalii only releases about 60 pieces of the same style and color at a time, for a total of about 250 looks. In Kamohoalii’s words, each print conveys some form of Hawaiian culture, and the company’s foundation is to “preserve our past and perpetuate it for the future.”

“All (prints) connect us to our origins, but it also becomes a spiritual totem for us. I can understand.

“We empower ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually by wearing clothes that are meaningful, purposeful, and empower us all day long. We look back at our history and wear clothes that tell our stories.”

Dezigns by Kamohoalii is located at Pearlridge Center (98-1005 Moanalua Road) and Windward Mall (Kamehameha Hwy 46-056). For more information, visit dbkamohoalii.com.