Aloha mai kākou e nā hoa!Kekoa Creative is a Native Hawaiian-owned sustainable fashion and lifestyle brand based in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Our collections honor Hawaiian cultural values while embracing sustainable practices that care for both people and planet.
Our Hawaiian Heritage Journey
ʻO Kekoa kēia.My journey began with a deep connection to my Hawaiian heritage and the islands of my ancestors. With family ties to Waiʻanae, Oʻahu, Maui nui a Piʻilani, and Moku o Keawe, I've always felt a responsibility to honor our cultural traditions while creating pathways for authentic representation in the fashion industry.
What started as a personal exploration has grown into a mission to create sustainable products that celebrate Hawaiian culture, support kānaka ʻōiwi small businesses, and provide alternatives to the predatory tourism industry that often misrepresents our heritage.
Hawaiian Cultural Values in Modern Fashion
At Kekoa Creative, our designs are rooted in Hawaiian cultural values and traditions, creating authentic expressions rather than appropriation. Each pattern tells a moʻolelo (story) that connects wearers to Hawaiian heritage and worldview.
We draw inspiration from traditional Hawaiian practices, from the sustainable harvesting methods of our ancestors to the symbolic patterns that carry cultural significance. Our Trash Tee Collection features designs that reference important cultural concepts, while our body care products incorporate ingredients that have been used in Hawaiian healing practices for generations.
Through our fashion and products, we celebrate the resilience and creativity of Hawaiian people while educating others about our living culture. Each item we create serves as both a beautiful product and a conversation starter about Hawaiian values, sustainability, and the importance of supporting Indigenous-owned businesses.
mālama - nurture - ʻāina - land - wai - water -
mālama - nurture - ʻāina - land - wai - water -
Our Commitment to Mālama ʻĀina & Mālama Wai”.
At Kekoa Creative, our foundation is built upon the Hawaiian cultural values of mālama ʻāina (caring for the land) and mālama wai (caring for the water). These principles guide every decision we make—from the materials we select to the partnerships we form.
We embrace Slow Fashion principles, crafting our products with a commitment to sustainability and minimal environmental impact. Our clothing features organic natural fibers, reclaimed waste cotton from textile production, and water-based Algae Ink™ that's OEKO-TEX certified for safety.
Our packaging from Noissue and EcoEnclose is fully compostable, supporting our circular model that returns waste safely to the land. Our Mahalo Cards are printed on FSC certified 100% recycled paper using soy ink, reflecting our dedication to sustainable practices throughout our product line.
We carefully vet our suppliers and partners, prioritizing those who hold certifications like B Corp, ECOCERT, and FSC. Everybody.world, one of our key suppliers, is pursuing B Corp certification and supports local factories in Los Angeles. Hāloa ʻĀina's sandalwood products are certified organic by ECOCERT ICO, ensuring they meet the highest standards of sustainability.
Through these practices, we honor our kuleana (responsibility) to protect the natural resources that sustain us all, creating products that celebrate Hawaiian culture while preserving the environment for future generations.
Supporting Kānaka ʻŌiwi Small Businesses
Kekoa Creative proudly partners with Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, creating a network of support that strengthens our collective impact. As the exclusive San Francisco Bay Area or California retailer for many of these products, we help bridge the gap between Hawaiian makers and the continent while supporting sustainable economic development in Hawaiʻi.
Our partnerships include Hāloa ʻĀina, whose groundbreaking work in sustainable sandalwood harvesting and reforestation is revitalizing native dryland forests on Hawaiʻi Island. We also feature Haʻa & Co.'s authentic Hawaiian botanical perfume oils, Keālia Organics' natural body care products, and custom pottery pieces from tdl pottery, who is a local Bay Area artisan & ally to the kānaka diaspora.
These collaborations reflect our commitment to uplifting kānaka ʻōiwi entrepreneurs and artisans while ensuring that our customers have access to genuinely Hawaiian products created with cultural knowledge and respect for traditional practices.