Releasing exclusively in-store and online this Friday, November 28 at 12am HST.
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Aloha kākou!
The journey lies in Kālai, to cut, carve, and divide, mirroring the precision of the stone carver who shaped the tools of life across these islands. This distinction, this act of shaping raw material, anchors the spirit of this capsule.
Our narrative begins in the Koʻolau ridges Wa‘ahila, Kūmauna, Kalaepōhaku where a triangular ridge descends, feeding the Pālolo stream that used to flow to Kuekaunahi (The area of walls IN Waikīkī). These natural foundations also shape a cultural boundary between Pālolo and Mānoa, leading us to Kānewai, the "healing waters of Kāne," a spring of sustenance that flowed generously into the 20th century.
Shifting slightly westward, our journey continues to the University of Hawai‘i. Here, amidst modern sports facilities, one could once discover a lua ʻeli pōhaku, a quarry that supplied stone for tools, particularly in the Kona area. From these quarries came implements that built sailing vessels, cut into La‘au for shelter, and shaped tools that fed us. This ancestral practice of sourcing, shaping, and elevating raw material into instruments of progress is the very foundation of Kālai ʻAina.
And just as these quarries provided the stone for survival, spaces like Kānewai, now encompassed by the University of Hawaiʻi, continue to be wellsprings for carving athletic and academic skill. Countless feats of learning, training, and discipline have risen from this area, sharpening bodies and minds. It is in the youth that we find our direction for the future, embracing the spirit of "ALL IN."
This process of advancement, of sharpening skill, and creating generational impact, is embodied in The ALL IN - Kālai ‘Aina Jersey Set.
Presented is our Kālai graphic, layered in 3-color tackle twill with a zig-zag stitch, bold, durable, and highly visible, a testament to the enduring power of craftsmanship. Feel the 3-color ribbed trim tracing from shoulder to sleeve and waist to hem, symbolizing the distinct yet interconnected boundary between Pālolo and Mānoa. On the left sleeve, the "All In" badge, proclaiming Ko Hawai‘i Pae ʻĀina • Kulaiwi • Aloha Served Daily, forges a mindset of unity and resilience against the world. Look to the bottom left corner for the new FITTED Pennant label, bearing our guiding call to action: “E na‘e wale nō ʻoukou i ku‘u pono, ʻaʻole e pau.” Turn to the back to discover the embroidered crown and the No. 4, stitched in layered tackle twill. The number 4, or pāhā, speaks to division, balance, and the portion of four fish, held between the fingers of each hand, a symbol of equitable sharing and sustenance.
The mesh shorts carry this same intention: soft micro mesh lining for comfort, an elastic waist with cotton drawcord and Fitted "Thickface" printed aglets for detail, a morale flag stitched into the seam, and a woven trim featuring repeating ko‘i and pōhaku motifs, drawn from the historic Mo‘ili‘ili lua ʻeli.
The Mana‘o behind Kālai ʻAina transcends just fabric. It is about carving skill, utilizing the raw stone, knowledge, talent, and experience, shaping it into something sharper, stronger, more defined. It’s about refining your personal skillset and applying it to move your family, your community, and your future forward.
As Nas once said, "Represent, represent." This set is built to remind us of exactly that, to represent where we come from, to sharpen who we are, and to leave every space better than when we entered.
Kālai ʻAina: "We all In."
