Aloha kākou!
For our Spring 2016 collection, rather than look elsewhere for inspiration, we chose to turn our attention to those closest to us—our FITTED ‘ohana. This season, we’re getting up close and personal with our “hui” (Hawaiian for club or company), as we allowed each of our team members to dream up two hats, each utilizing their choice of silhouette (59FIFTY fitted or 9FIFTY snapback), front logo, color-blocking, and materials—resulting in unique pieces that hold special value to the team members that created them. A few of our stockists on the Mainland will release their own store exclusives in the near future as well. Please note that all hats in this collection were produced in limited quantities.
Each piece has a special story behind it, and what better way to hear those stories than from the creators themselves? Every release will be authored by the team member responsible for that design, for an even more personal touch. This Spring season, we hope to share a little more about our hui with you.
Name: Haylee Watson
AKA: hele_wats
Title/Position: Shop Girl
Favorite place in Hawaii? Waipoli Rd., Kula, Maui
One thing you can't live without? THREE things I canʻt live without. Family, friends and bread.
What are you doing when you aren't working? Creating and thinking about the future.
Favorite FITTED hat? H Pride and 5 panels
What inspires you? “He ʻaʻaliʻi ku makani mai au; ʻaʻohe makani nana e kulaʻi.” The ʻaʻaliʻi bush can stand the worst of gales, twisting and bending but seldom breaking off or falling over.
ALAKAʻINA KAMEHAMEHA SNAPBACK
By Haylee Watson
Hi everyone! If I haven’t met you yet, I’m Haylee. Some of you may not know me because I’m new-ish to the Fitted ʻOhana so if you don’t recognize me, it’s okay but don’t be scared to say Hi! I work in the shop and pop in sometimes every now and then, but enough about me, you wanna know about the hat! That’s why you’re here!
Ever since I was 5 years old I played soccer and my dad was always there for me when I had games, needed water, or aided me when I was dying on the field from heat. I remember, in 7th grade during a summer tournament my team made it to the finals fighting for a first place position and a chance to brag about it all summer long. After 60 minutes of warfare we were still at a 0–0 standoff. We then went into overtime and still no goals. The game ended up in a penalty shoot-out and this was my very first time being part of a real shoot-out! I was a nervous as hell, but I wasn’t part of the first group to shoot, I was in the second group. The first group shot and we ended up losing the game. I cried, my friends cried—the whole team cried! We played our hearts out; blood, sweat, and now tears, all from this penalty shoot-out. I was so bummed. Of course, our coach gave us kind words of encouragement, a pat on the back and high-fives but my teammates and I were still upset. After leaving my team, the first person I see is my mom, and being the mom that she is she gave me hugs and kisses on the head, even though I was supah stink and dirty. She also gave me the “good job spiel.” The next person I see is my dad, and the first thing I hear from him is “Why you crying?!!” A little stunned I thought to myself, “Did this guy really just ask why I was crying?! Dad, we just lost! Hello!” He asked me again, “Why you crying?” I was still in sniffle mode and didnʻt answer. I ended up riding with my dad home. Still teary-eyed and in sniffle mode my dad gave me a talk and reminded me that it was just a game, I played the best that I could, and that’s all that matters. After hearing that talk, I instantly thought to myself, yeah it was just a game, life goes on. We did our best and played our hearts out and we got to the finals which was pretty sick! Afterwards he ended up taking me to Minute Stop to get a Blue Vanilla Icee and an eggroll (ACTION!) and life was good again.
Everyone has someone in their life that they look up to for guidance or for direction whenever they feel lost. For me, the person that has guided me in a positive direction is my dad, AKA my fada. Whether it occurred through a good conversation or through ear-throbbing yells/scoldings, my dad has always been a person who keeps me on track. He’s been my backbone through some of the toughest times in my life. Even though my dad seems like a tough/grumpy guy, he always has a soft spot in his heart for me. Special das why! He also supported me in my decision to attend college to study art. He kept me going and helped me graduate. As a soon-to-be parent (yes, I’m the pregnant one that works in the shop) I hope to gain these traits and characteristics to help guide my daughter on a good path, the same way I was raised. The greatest lesson I learned from my dad is that, through every rough patch in life, in the end, everything is going to be okay.
I chose the Kamehameha logo because it represents a leader who is strong minded, tough, and smart, just like my dad. Oh! And because my dad just constantly thinks he’s “The King” all the time. ALL. THE. TIME. Starting with a black crown and visor, I chose to do yellow embroidery and crown stitching because yellow is a vibrant color, which is how I visualize my relationship with my father—vibrant. I also decided to do a camo undervisor because my dad enjoys hunting.
To coincide with Haylee’s Alakaʻina Kamehameha snapback, we’ll also be releasing our brand new Pineapple t-shirt and tank top. The back features a play on the classic Dole pineapple man, with historical ties to the island of Lānaʻi, also known as the Pineapple Isle. The ʻulu he's holding is a reference to Kauluāʻau, the prince who was banished to Lānaʻi as a consequence for his pranks of uprooting ʻulu trees on Maui. In the background are the island’s famous pine trees. To symbolize the historical turnover of the Lānaʻi’s owners and its rough-and-tumble past, the pineapple’s face is shown with some slight abrasions. To further personify the pineapple, he’s been decked out in our NoRep Alakaʻi Boardshort and original Red/Gold Kamehameha 59FIFTY. The front of the tee features our updated logotype in white on the upper left chest.
