Kukui Lineage Aloha Shirt

The kukui tree and its nuts are symbolic of enlightenment, leadership, knowledge, wisdom and education. The nuts are rich in oil. When strung together and burned, they act as a torch or candle. In this print the kukui nut cords stretch up and down burning from one to the next. Each nut is both a seed and a light. The burning of the nuts one by one symbolizes the passing of knowledge and light from past to future generations in an endless continuum. The kukui branches in the print further interlock into an innity symbol. Wise leaders, educators and loved ones share that light and pass it onto us in turn that we may do the same. The symbol of Hawaiian King Kalakaua's reign was ke kukuioiwikauikaua: the kukui torch that burns at mid-day. Inspired by the monarchy era, the symmetry, color palette, and feeling of this pattern are both a nod to Victorian, quilt, and kapa design work as well as a Hawaiian sensibility and depth of meaning.

A portion of the proceeds from this print will support The Friends of Iolani Palace

Machine wash on a warm or cool delicate setting.

Tumble dry low or line-dry.