Video: Luke Aguinaldo (@loksi) & Skillet (@envol_skillet)
Photos: Paiʻea Projects (@paieaprojects)
Music: Curtis Helm (@mistah83)
Models: Ezekiel Lau (@haynsupahman), Race Skelton (@raceskelton), & Moani Hara (@moanihara)
The Path to Nu‘uanu
By Daniel Ikaika ito
The Pai‘ea Projects + FITTED Nu‘uanu capsule retraces Kamehameha the Great’s footsteps as he conquered O‘ahu in the late-1700s. Kamehameha aka Pai‘ea and his invading forces landed at Wai‘alae on the south shore strapped: they showed up to “Town” with their muskets cocked, cannons loaded and ready to bang. They marched westward and engaged the chief of O‘ahu, Kalanikūpule, and his defending army at Pūowaiana, where we now call Punchbowl. The battle raged on and spilled into Pauoa and Papakolea where Pai‘ea’s army had the O‘ahu warriors on the run and flanked.
Kalanikūpule’s forces retreated into Nu‘uanu because reinforcements awaited them at La‘imi. The O‘ahu army had cannons hidden on the Pu‘u Konahuanui ridgeline, and when Pai‘ea learns of this artillery he sends a division of invading warriors to flank Kalanikūpule’s army. As the battle ensued, Pai‘e’a’s superior training and artillery eventually had their enemies outmatched. Kalanikūpule’s forces fled to the fortified heiau of Pu‘uiwa and Ahipu‘u. After the loss of Kalanikūpule, the O‘ahu warriors are driven further up the valley in retreat. Eventually, Pai‘ea and his forces push the O‘ahu army off the Pali. Instead of living under the rule of Pai‘ea, many of Kalanikūpule’s defeated warriors choose to leap off he 500-foot cliff to their death.
This epic battle is immortalized in Hawaiian history as “Kaleleka‘anae,” or “the leaping mullet” in English to describe the O‘ahu army’s defeat off the Pali. This was a pivotal victory for Pai‘ea because it solidified his unification of the Hawaiian Islands, earning him rule of O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i.
We honor this battle and the victory of Pai‘ea with the Nu‘uanu capsule: basketball jersey, t-shirt, tank top and three different New Era hats. The number “4” on the jersey and the design of the “Many Moons” t-shirt and tank top honor the multitude of warriors fighting for Pai‘ea and acknowledge the ancient Hawaiian “Kahului” battle formation. Warriors formed themselves into a “Kahului,” a crescent-shaped formation where the horns pointed toward the enemy. The number “4” is significant to this battle formation because ancient Hawaiians’ counting system was based on multiples of four: “Kauna” equals four, “ka‘au” equals 40, “lau” equals 400 and “mano” equals 4,000. It is said that when Pai‘ea’s army invaded O‘ahu his forces were up to 16,000 warriors or four “mano.”
FITTED team rider, Ezekiel Lau, is sporting the FITTED + Pai‘ea Projects Nu‘uanu basketball jersey and New Era spacer mesh logo snapback as he tears apart his homebreak on the South Shore. This hat features a unique spacer mesh that’s unlike what we’ve used in the past. The Paiʻea Projects logo is prominently displayed on the front of the hat in white, which matches the crown and crest embroideries as well as the snap enclosure. The red New Era logo ties in nicely to the red sweatband featured on the inside of the hat.
Contrast Magazine Publisher Race Skelton scans the cityscape from Punchbowl, rocking the FITTED + Pai‘ea Projects “Many Moons” t-shirt and Kamehameha New Era A-Frame snapback. This all-around clean snapback features a classic fit with a narrow visor and A-Frame five-panel setup. The front Kamehameha logo, side Paiʻea Projects logo and back crest are stitched in white, while the New Era logo and snap enclosure are seen in a tonal black. The kelly green undervisor is another nod to classic baseball hats.
The enchanting 2014 Miss Hawai‘i, Moani Hara, models the FITTED + Pai‘ea Projects “Many Moons” tank top and the “Path to Nu‘uanu” New Era five-panel. The artwork depicted on this five-panel camp hat is a map of Oʻahu along with the path that Paiʻea and his men took to their victory at Nuʻuanu. An all black rubber Nihi logo patch is stitched to the front panel, along with black embroidery and a black/white Paiʻea Projects logo tag around the sides and back.
A special mahalo to Curtis Helm for laying down the track “Champion Song” from Kalamaʻula, Molokaʻi. Performed with Ooklah the Moc, Father Psalms Studio & Inna Vision, as well as several solo projects under the name “Mr. 83.” Brother of Raiatea Helm, nephew of George Helm, music and Hawaiian culture run deep in his family’s roots.
The FITTED + Pai‘ea Projects Nu‘uanu capsule releases in-store and online this Saturday, August 29.
