Clothing

Item Description

Manaola Mahina Purse:

• Pattern: Kanaloa
• Size: Bottom 9.5″ / Top 14.5″ x 5.5″ x 11″
• Color: Natural Herringbone-Tannin

About the Pattern:

Designer Manaola presents the Kanaloa design honoring the god of the ocean. The artists patrilineal descent is linked to the esteemed ancestor Naukana, also known as Naukanaloa, meaning belonging to the ocean - whom guided him to create a tribute to our innate sacred ancestral connection to the sea realm. The imagery of way-finding navigational knowledge passed down through the currents of time, ebb and flow throughout the resplendent layers of this pattern, capturing an optical illusion that shifts from a flat to three-dimensional form. This imagery depicts the view of the sun rising over the mountains seen from out on the ocean to an elongated diamond representing the waa (voyaging vessel). The lines of color dimension traveling across the design shift from dark to light, symbolizing the cleansing mana (power) of Kanaloa. Manaola created these strong defined lines by use of the lapa tool made of ohe (bamboo) and the string dipping method achieved by holding the string taut and dipping it into dye to then print on material. This part of the design exemplifies seafaring rope and cord, poetically reflecting the long lines of ancestors that link us back to the source of all creation and ties in Polynesian motifs representing our oceanic migration stories.

The horizontal droplet pattern symbolizing an ia (fish), tells the story of Kanaloa, Kane (god of water), and Haumea (goddess of creation) and their epic voyage from Kahiki across the Moananuiakea (vast ocean). On their journey they happened upon two fishermen who presented hookupu (offering) of white fish and awa hiwa (dark kava root). These offerings were first received by Haumea in reverence and respect of her divine power as a portal of life. This infinite feminine presence brings a duality to the energy of this design. The stories and deep layers of meaning within the seascape of this ode to Kanaloa encourages us to return to the ocean for strength, to take a journey of our own to the quiet places within ourselves that teach us the healing art of release and renewal, and to continue to navigate our way through this world by knowing deeply where we come from to have a clear sense of where we are going.

“Ola i ke au a Kanaloa.”
(Life to the ocean realms of Kanaloa.)

Item Special Note

Final sale. Pick up at HFWF office in Honolulu, otherwise shipping charges apply.