Aloha kākou!
Tomorrow, we are releasing a special new capsule centered around the kōlea (pacific golden plover)—an incredible bird we are fascinated with here in Hawaiʻi—by creating a fictional sports team with the kōlea as the mascot. This all-new capsule includes the headlining Kōlea snapback featuring unique trucker mesh over material construction, and is supported by the gold Flourished Bird tee, white Kōlea Home Team tee, lagoon blue Pacific Plovers long-sleeve tee, and black Kōlea Home Team hoodie.
We admire the kōlea’s resilience and steadfastness during their difficult migrations, as they arenʻt capable of soaring as most migratory birds are able to, nor are they able-bodied swimmers like most shorebirds. Every year, this species of plover makes the exhausting journey from their home territory in Hawaiʻi northward to the Arctic to mate and nest their offspring. It is believed that Polynesians would spot flocks of these kōlea, and would follow their flight paths to shore.
Moʻolelo by Ola:
Have you ever watched a University of Hawaiʻi game (in any sport) and completely lost your mind and yelled at the ref about him or her being blind? This game is fixed! Dressed in black and green paint, tied la’i around your po’o and arms as if your channeling Fili? See these behaviors are an extension of who we are, we identify as if it is “ours” or “we” that won or lost this game. I use the Universtiy of Hawaiʻi as our only true source of this evidence called “fandom.” We’ve had small doses of minor league, semi-professional teams, and the ever omnipresent Pro Bowl and Lakers preseason events. But alas one to call our own!
Normally our concept meetings consist of questions including many “what if’s.” Given the opportunity, how would we approach building a professional sports franchise? This release dives into a case study on how we could be represented, taking inspiration from our surroundings and drawing from the characteristics of space-sharing friends. These friends have long been a part of our islands, giving us the inspiration and confidence to explore and travel thousands of miles without a destination, just instinct carved through the experienced lens of observation. ʻAu I ke kai me he manu ala (Cross the sea as a bird). The pacific golden plover! Guiding us to victory across thousands of miles of open ocean, fearing nothing in our path!!!
If we were tasked in selecting a mascot to represent the people of the Islands, it would be the Kōlea, or Pacific Golden Plover. Not due to its aggressive nature or predatory instincts, but its hardiness and adaptability while making the numerous arduous journeys across the Pacific through the course of their lives. Each year, they return to the same exact place with pinpoint accuracy on the shores of Hawaii, in fall to feed, and Alaska, in spring to breed, safeguarding each location while present. From those traits, we can draw parallels to our own. Whether we remain on the shores of the islands or make the journey beyond them, home is not where we lay our head or where our heart is. Home is where the ʻike is.
