The Kapa Collection

We’re so excited to introduce the newest addition to the Keiki Dept lineup: the Kapa Collection!

This is our first time launching three new prints at the same time! Each design was specifically chosen to honor our ‘āina (land), kai (ocean), and pua (flowers) in the classic vintage style of kapa. We couldn’t be happier with how they turned out!
Back in the summer of 2024, our founder, Leilani, reflected on what she wanted to focus on with this collection. She knew she wanted to honor both ‘āina and kai but wanted to showcase the elements in a different way. Leilani wanted a design that evoked the nostalgia of old Hawaiʻi, and artist extraordinaire Tiara Koba helped bring her vision to life!

For the ‘āina print, Leilani wanted to highlight every component of the kalo plant. After all, one of the reasons why kalo is so special is because every part of it can be used and serves a purpose. Our ‘āina-inspired kalo kapa print depicts the entire plant, honoring its significance in Hawaiian culture. The kai print reimagines our iconic ‘opihi, paying tribute to the pōhaku (rock) to which it clings and the limu (seaweed) growing around it. Lastly, our naupaka print brings ‘āina and kai together with both mountain and ocean pua (flowers) represented. We love the way naupaka naturally joins the mauka (mountain) with the sea, so this last print feels like the perfect way to complete our kapa set.

Why Kapa-Inspired?
Kapa was the fabric of Hawai‘i, worn by both commoners and royalty – it was used for
everything from daily clothing to ceremonial attire. Leilani wanted to honor her roots and weave a piece of old Hawai‘i into modern life with this collection. Kapa is made from the inner bark of the wauke (paper mulberry) plant. For generations, wahine (women) were the primary creators of kapa, although the entire fabrication process was quite the community effort. Intention and care were given to every step, from farmers growing the wauke trees to the men carving the iʻe kuku (kapa beater). Kapa designs were symbolic, often reflecting genealogy, status, or significant life events. Patterns and motifs told the stories of the people wearing them, and we have tried to
honor this practice with our collection today.

The Kapa Collection captures the warmth of old Hawaiʻi, blending a vintage aesthetic with timeless pieces that your entire ʻohana (family) will love. At the Keiki Dept, we believe that clothing should be more than just something you wear—it should tell a story, evoke memories, and be cherished for generations. Like the comfort of grandma’s house or the thrill of a crack-seed store treat after school, these pieces are designed to give you all the good-kine feels when you wear them. Our goal is to create products that become beloved keepsakes – blending the spirit of tradition with the laid-back joy of island life, wrapping you in comfort and aloha.

So when can you get your hands on this sweet new collection? Mark your calendars for April 24-26, 2025, because we will be debuting the Kapa Collection at the Kākoʻo Hawaiʻi Market in Hilo during Merrie Monarch!

This will be *another* first for us: attending Merrie Monarch! We’re so excited! We’ll have Kapa Collection prints in keiki clothing, kapa moe, and pareo available for purchase for the first time ever at this mākeke (market). We can’t wait to see you there! For more information on the market, check out the Kākoʻo Hawaiʻi website.

Lastly, make sure you are subscribed to our ʻOhana Insiders list. We will be adding more merch in our beautiful new kapa prints as the year goes on, so you won’t want to miss out!

Mahalo to the resources used in this article:
1. Chang, Page. “Native Hawaiian Kapa - Building a Sustainable Future.” Taking Care,
takingcareproject.eu/article/native-hawaiian-kapa-building-a-sustainable-future#:~:text=Kapa%20making%20creates%20a%20deep(to%20love%20the%20land). Accessed 12 Mar. 2025. 

2. “Kapa.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 10 Dec. 2019,
www.nps.gov/hale/learn/historyculture/kapa.htm.