Kahana Designs

Freshly harvested taro (kalo), the source of poi, in Hawaiʻi
Poi: the staple food at the heart of ancient Hawaiʻi
Poi is the slow-pounded kalo paste at the heart of ancient Hawaiʻi — a foundational food, sacred plant, and family tie all in a single bowl. Read more...
Handmade double row lauhala hoop earrings with natural shell pearls
Worn Heritage: The Story of Hawaiian Lauhala Jewelry
Long before lauhala was an earring, it was a mat, a hat, a sail. A look at the story behind Hawaiian lauhala jewelry — how the weave moved from everyday... Read more...
Plumeria blossoms, the iconic flower of the Hawaiian lei
Plumeria: the iconic flower behind the Hawaiian lei
Plumeria is the flower most people smell before they see. A guide to its history, varieties, and place at the heart of Hawaiian lei tradition. Read more...
A green sea turtle (honu) swimming over a reef in Hawaiʻi
Honu: the sacred sea turtle of the Hawaiian Islands
Meet the honu — Hawaiʻi's sacred green sea turtle. Its place in Hawaiian tradition, where to see one, and how to share the shoreline respectfully. Read more...
A shell and bead necklace, traditional Hawaiian adornment
Adorned by the Islands: The History of Jewelry in Ancient Hawaiian Culture
Long before Western explorers arrived on the Hawaiian Islands, the people of Hawaiʻi were crafting stunning ornaments from shells, bone, ivory, and feathers. Discover the deep history of jewelry in... Read more...
Lauhala Weaving: The Sacred Art That Wove Together Ancient Hawaiian Life
Lauhala Weaving: The Sacred Art That Wove Together Ancient Hawaiian Life
For centuries, lauhala weaving has been one of the most sacred and essential crafts in Hawaiian culture. Woven from the leaves of the hala tree (Pandanus tectorius), lauhala products —... Read more...

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