Iwa Frigatebird Hawaiian Culture Shirt - Aloha Tee, Hawaii Heritage Gift, Pacific Islander

The iwa rides the wind the way old voyagers rode the swell — barely flapping, simply reading the air. This tee honors the frigatebird, one of the Pacific's great open-ocean travelers.

The iwa, or great frigatebird, has the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any seabird and can stay aloft for weeks at a time, sleeping in short bursts on the wing. Hawaiian voyagers watched iwa as one of several signs of land and weather, since the bird returns toward shore as storms build offshore. The males' bright red throat pouches inflate during courtship, a flash of color against open sky. The name iwa also means "thief" — these birds famously steal fish from other seabirds mid-flight.

For locals, the iwa overhead is a quiet weather report and a small daily marvel. For visitors, this shirt is a way to carry a piece of Hawai'i with you — a high, far-traveling memory worn close.

Soft unisex tee. Multiple sizes and colorways available.