E Pili Ana Mākou (About Us)

Our Mo'olelo

Kamalanai Designs is named after and started in memory of my late Tutu, Ruby Kamalanai Kaupu. She played a pivotal role in my upbringing, along with my maternal grandparents, and I wouldn’t be who I am without her and the many other kūpuna (ancestors) who came before me. When you purchase an item from Kamalanai Designs you are not only helping me keep her memory alive, but you are also continuing to perpetuate our love for our people and culture. All designs are created and inspired by our ‘ike pilina as kānaka to the relationships we hold to the ʻāina (land), nā akua (the gods), our ancestors, and ourselves. To continue to preserve and strengthen our cultural identity in all things that make us the indigenous people of this land. Each design is either in honor, remembrance, or celebration of our pilina and mauli lāhui. I hope you love and enjoy your new mea (things) from Kamalanai Designs.

HINA HANAPI-HIRATA

OWNER/CREATOR

Aloha mai e nā lehulehu o ka lāhui Hawai'i!

My name is Hina Ho'oipoikamalanai Hanapi-Hirata and I am the owner and designer for Kamalanai Designs. I was raised on Moloka'i nui a Hina but was born on Moku 'o Keawe at Hilo Medical Center. I spent my childhood bouncing back and forth between both sets of grandparents; epic adventures on my mother's family 'āina on the east end of the island in 'Aha'ino and grade A desert taster and amature lei maker on my paternal tutu's homestead in central Kapa'akea.

I was immersed in my Native Hawaiian culture since birth that help shaped me into who I am and contributed to the love I have for all things Kanaka Maoli. I can not stress enough my gratitude I have for all of my kupuna who were artist in their own right from all different mediums ranging from Kapa, to woodcarving, to lei making and inspiring me to create.

I currently live on my paternal tutu's homestead in Kapa'akea with my family, two cats, three dogs, and a mini farm. In my spare time, if I am not designing new things for my brand, I am attempting to write a Hawaiian fantasy novel, and fighting for Native Hawaiian rights