Here are a few photos we snapped from our daycation while visiting the Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site on the Big Island of Hawai’i for the 200th Anniversary of King Kamehameha uniting the Hawaiian islands. Hawaiian culture was on full display, with a marching procession up to the Pu’ukohola Heiau, Hawaiian games, including spear throwing (albeit with a broom stick) and ‘ulu maika. After a few spent hours walking around the heiau, we got back in our soccer-mom minivan and checked out some nice sites around Kona, before heading back to the airport and catching our go! flight back to Honolulu.

Aloha kakou!

By now, we all know that the demise of our entire Culture (including language, proper education, traditions and customs & knowledge of the land, heavens and ocean) was met when Hawai’i was “discovered” by James C(r)ook(ed) and his fellow Europeons nearly 232 years ago. From the dreadful diseases introduced to the indigenous, original people to the assimilation of European politics, the English language and monolithic religion, we were at lost to our entire aboriginal culture. Things declined more with the illegal overthrow of our ‘aina, stripped of our original language and arts (hula, straw weaving, fish hook making, etcetera) and as a result, entirely stripped of our knowledge of self. You see, as much as the media and government attempt to depict us as simple-minded, unintelligent savages of the Pacific, we have, and still do, show and prove that our intelligence superceded their intellect. We may have not had the proper tools and material to manifest this knowledge, but what we lacked, we made up for in other ways. Navigating the vast open Pacific by way of the stars in the heavens, currents, wind and offshore birds with just the utilization of passed-down knowledge, word of mouth, our eyes and mind. No technology involved, no weather instruments, telescopes or compasses. There are even (slightly) theoretical anthropological studies, findings / evidence that prove that early Polynesians may have discovered the Americas before Columbus made contact.

With that being said, we must continue to properly educate our Keiki of our culture, keep the Hawaiian language alive and instill the knowledge, wisdom and understanding that our elder ancestors passed down to us. Each one, teach one. Steel sharpens steel.

To go along with the Kaholo release, we’ve put together a t-shirt and a new New Era. The t-shirt is called Culture, printed on charcoal heather gray with a collage of vintage (but the real deal) Hawaiian tattoo patterns, which defines the cultural aspect of the name. Backside features a black crown. The hat, called Kakau, translates to tattoo features an all over pattern of the same tattoo pattern seen on the t-shirt in black nylon with yellow banding around the inside sweatband.

To top it all off, we also printed 100 limited edition posters to commemorate this event…Might not be a big deal to a lot of people but for us…it’s kind of a big deal…WE MADE A SHOE!!!
The poster is a silk screen print on acid free uncoated paper signed and numbered, the poster is 18 x 24 In. (45.72 x 60.96 cm) and is not framed. The artwork on the poster is the print that adorns the shoe. A million thanks to everyone for all the support!

Last but never the least…we also printed up some more stickers for this drop as well, told you it’s a BIG DEAL for us haha…
Check the new “TRI-LOCK” sticker, wrap any object of your choice with this new sticker and BAMMM you got instant FRESH! What’s that you say? “TRI-LOCK” remote or how about a”TRI-LOCK” dog bowl, man you can “TRI-LOCK” whatever you like…get creative, and while you’re at it send us pictures of what ever you “TRI-LOCK” and if it’s cool, funny or just plain weird, we might post it up on the blog…AGAIN…A MILLION MAHALOS TO ALL FOR THE CONSTANT SUPPORT!!!

Special thanks to The Manifest and Soul Signature Tattoo for your help today with the shots!

As of recent, I’ve been on a personal mission to educate myself & bring more self-awareness to other cultural music, all the while trying as much to exit myself from the repugnant staleness that seems to be infecting my first and only real love, Hip-Hop. More recently, I’ve grown accustomed to the sounds of bhangra which derived it’s soul & rhythm from the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan, respectively. The percussion & instruments used in bhangra all tie back to Indian culture, including the tumbi, sarangi and the dhol. Since it’s arrival on the Western continent, bhangra has seen a subtle incorporation of dancehall, Hip-Hop, funk and pop, giving it a much more contrasting sound. Below are a couple favorites that have seen lots of play on my Zune iTouch, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. By the way, the above photo is of Frieda Pinto (of Slumdog Millionaire); my new crush. I figured you all would rather look at something as beautiful as this then a fricken photo of a bhangra instrument, right?

Dr. Zeus – Tin Cheejha (ft. Lehmber Hussainpuri) || Download

G Sharmilla – Gadiyan || Download

Below is a very interesting clip of Ittai Wong & Jamaica Osorio of Youthspeaks Hawaii performing “Kaona” which translates to Hawaiian poetry with a hidden meaning (concealed reference). Speaking on the overthrow of our beloved Queen Lili’uokalani, this is a deep, yet powerful insight on how Hawaiian culture and morals were pretty much stolen from the people. The uniqueness of the video, and what Youthspeaks Hawaii represents is the perseverance of Hawaiian culture, language and arts, all the while presenting this in a form of literature that the youth of today can easily relate to, and be educated upon at the same time. Hawaii Slam Poet’s finest. Hit the jump for the video.

For more info, hit their Myspace

Aloha.

Pull up a chair & have a seat. Pay close attention. Class is in session. Let’s briefly discuss the Hawaiian Renaissance (also known as the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance) which was an reawakening or revival, if you will, of our contrasting Hawaiian cultural character and distinctiveness during the early ‘70s. Contemporary Hawaiian music artists such as Gabby “Pops” Pahinui (of Sons Of Hawaii fame) helped play an integral role in this cultural movement / resurgence. With this renaissance, there was a reasserted curiosity and interest in pidgin, Hawaiian language, Hula, Hawaiian studies & traditional Hawaiian arts. Before this enlightening cultural rejuvenation, there was the Merrie Monarch Festival (which they still run to this day) established by George Na’ope. The Merrie Monarch Festival helped resurrect the artistry, history, study and practice of archaic hula. Hit the jump for more (detailed) pics.

This plays an important role in leading to this Saturday’s release: Homegrown. The general definition of this is: “Raised or grown at home.” To us, the definition of Homegrown is much deeper than that. Homegrown is more than a sense of pride, it’s the way we carry ourselves, whether we’re at home or abroad. It’s the way we treat others (with the utmost respect, as we’ve been taught by our elders), the way we greet each other, the way we may seek out for a Spam Musubi somewhere as far off as Tennessee, knowing very well that we more than likely won’t find it. Homegrown to us is embracing our sports teams and hometown heroes, even if when they’re on the receiving end of negative press. That’s a brief glimpse into what Homegrown means to us, what’s your definition? Email us @ info@fittedhawaii.com with your definition.

On to the product, this pack features a men’s and women’s tee, plus a crazy Homegrown New Era. The men’s tee features artwork from Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band record, very vibrant colors printed on a white tee, with a colorful fill in the crest on the back. The women’s logo tee is printed on white and features FITTED written across the chest in green and pink, same colors running on the back crest. On to this incredible hat, which is a phenomenal piece of artistry. Featuring rib-stop nylon all over with an array of colors associated with our island’s state flower, the hibiscus (orange, white, green and yellow). The inside of the hat features bright green tri-locks with contrasted eyelets. The icing on the cake is that this is our official Homegrown hat, perfect to go along with any of our Homegrown series tees and our Homegrown hoodie. Don’t pass up on this exquisite pack, come down this Saturday (make sure to bring down canned goods, in return you’ll receive one raffle ticket). Rock this pack with pride. It’s not where you’re at, it’s where you’re from! Cheeee! For those who reside on the 9th island (Las Vegas / Nevada), there will be a limited amount of both the men’s tee & HomeGrown New Era @ Laced. Shout out to the boys at Laced!

Available on Sat @ 11am.. If you plan on lining up we will ask that you please line up along the wall instead of the fence. Parking also has to be limited, as well as picking up your opala when your done. We appreciate your kokua in advance.

Aloha & Mahalo,

FITTED