Shaka value. You can never have too many shaka's thrown about; the shaka is the new "peace sign." The Honolulu Star Bulletin ran an article back in 2002 about the possible origin of the infamous "shaka," and according to one legend, a man named Hamana Kalili of Laie whom once held a position at the Kahuku Sugar Mill, lost three of his fingers while feeding the sugar cane into a rolling-machine which turned the sugar cane stalks into sugar "juice." Due to that accident, he had to leave the sugar mill and eventually picked a job up as a security guard on the "sugar train" which traveled between Sunset Beach and Ka'a'awa. "One of his jobs was to keep all the kids off the train," says Vonn Logan, Kalili's grandnephew. "All the kids would try to jump the train to ride from town to town. So they started signaling each other. Since (Kalili) lost his fingers, the perfect signal was what we have now as the 'shaka sign.' That's how you signaled the way was clear." So there you have it, the story of the origin of the "shaka sign." As far as the word, it's still pretty unclear where that originated.
This Saturday, we're releasing a woven-straw hat featuring that infamous shaka that even Obama threw up during his inauguration. The shaka, in raised white stitching rests on the front of the cap, contrasted with an orange top button, green New Era sign and both green and lighter shade of green on the underbill which creates a tri-lock pattern, also seen on the satin lining on the inside. Backside features the crest in raised stitching; green with a white stroke. Per normal, these are sure to fly off the shelves, so be well prepared!