Celebrating World Ocean Day

Itʻs World Ocean Day!

Today we celebrate the kai that surrounds our beautiful Hawaiian islands and the inspiration of many of our designs.

What is World Ocean Day?

World Ocean Day is an annual global celebration held every June 8th to honor our oceans and raise awareness about their critical importance to our planet. Officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008¹, this special day was originally proposed at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro² and is now celebrated worldwide with events, educational programs, and conservation initiatives.

The purpose of World Ocean Day is:

• Celebrate the beauty and importance of our oceans
• Raise awareness about human impact on marine environments
• Mobilize global action for ocean conservation
• Highlight the ocean's role in climate regulation, food security, and economic prosperity

This day holds special significance because oceans cover 70% of Earth's surface and produce over 50% of our oxygen³. They regulate our climate, provide food for billions of people, and support countless ecosystems. Yet marine environments face increasing threats from pollution, overfishing, and climate change.

At The Keiki Dept, World Ocean Day aligns perfectly with our mission of celebrating Hawaiian culture and environmental stewardship.

Our Ocean-Inspired Prints: More Than Beautiful Designs

Every print we create tells a story, and our ocean-themed designs carry some of the most meaningful tales from our islands. These aren't just patterns on fabric—they're bridges that help our keiki learn about the native plants and animals that call Hawaiʻi home.

The ʻOpihi Print: A Story of Connection

Our ʻopihi print celebrates Hawaii's beloved limpet and serves as a sweet nickname for our little ones. These hardy shoreline creatures cling tightly to rocks throughout their lives, much like how our keiki stick close to us in their early years.

In Hawaiʻi, we lovingly call our babies "ʻopihi" because they too want to be constantly attached to their parents. This print honors both the steadfast ʻopihi and our clingy little ones who just want to be held close. Every time you wrap your keiki in this design, you're celebrating that precious bond between parent and child.

Kapa Kai

From our Kapa Collection, the Kapa Kai design features limu (seaweed) and ʻopihi. Each piece reminds us of the delicate balance that exists along our shoreline —a balance that's essential to Hawaiian culture and our way of life.

Kapa Naupaka

The legendary naupaka flowers bloom both on our mountains and by our shores, representing the eternal connection between land and sea. Just like the stories we pass down through generations, naupaka reminds us that some bonds can never be broken.

Giving Back: Supporting Ocean Keiki and ʻOhana

Our commitment to the ocean goes beyond beautiful prints. In 2025, The Keiki Dept continues to donate 1% of our online sales to Kūlaniākea, a nonprofit that serves keiki and ʻohana.

Why Kūlaniākea?

Their mission perfectly aligns with ours. Kūlaniākea's school of Nature & Hawaiian immersion centers Hawaiian language, culture, and values, providing students with regular access to outdoor classrooms at Papahana Kuaola and aboard Kaʻihekauila. Their exclusive curriculum emphasizes Kumulipo (Hawaiian creation story) and traditional voyaging and wayfinding—skills that connect directly to our ocean heritage.

When you choose The Keiki Dept, you're not just wrapping your keiki in beautiful, culturally authentic designs—you're supporting the next generation of Hawaiian cultural learners and leaders who will carry forward the wisdom of our ancestors.

Celebrating World Ocean Day, The Keiki Dept Way

• Sustainable Practices: We're committed to practices that honor the ocean that gives us so much
• Cultural Education: Our bamboo muslin swaddles and other products featuring ocean-inspired prints become heirloom pieces that carry important stories forward
• Community Impact: Every purchase supports organizations protecting our Hawaiian waters and communities

Wrapping Your Keiki in Ocean Stories

Our ocean-inspired collection isn't just about beautiful designs—it's about connection. Connection to culture, to family, to the natural world that surrounds us. When you choose one of our ocean-themed swaddles, you're choosing to share these important stories with the next generation.

Ready to explore our ocean-inspired collection? Visit our online store and discover how these meaningful designs can become part of your family's story.

Mahalo for being part of our ʻohana and helping us share these important stories with the world.

Sources:

1. United Nations World Oceans Day official designation, 2008
2. Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro, 1992
3. National Ocean Service, NOAA - Ocean facts and statistics