Black Pō trash hoodie with He Mano Ka Niho shark teeth pattern in discharge ink revealing natural cotton color
Close-up of He Mano Ka Niho discharge print on black reclaimed cotton terry hoodie showing natural fabric reveal
Model wearing black Pō trash hoodie with He Mano Ka Niho shark teeth discharge print showing cropped boxy fit
Back view of model wearing Pō black trash hoodie with traditional Hawaiian pattern showing puffy cropped silhouette
Black Hawaiian shark teeth hoodie styled casually showing sustainable Native Hawaiian fashion by Kekoa Creative
Model wearing He Mano Ka Niho Pō hoodie outdoors demonstrating versatile sustainable Hawaiian streetwear style
Black Pō trash hoodie with He Mano Ka Niho shark teeth pattern in discharge ink revealing natural cotton color
Close-up of He Mano Ka Niho discharge print on black reclaimed cotton terry hoodie showing natural fabric reveal
Model wearing black Pō trash hoodie with He Mano Ka Niho shark teeth discharge print showing cropped boxy fit
Back view of model wearing Pō black trash hoodie with traditional Hawaiian pattern showing puffy cropped silhouette
Black Hawaiian shark teeth hoodie styled casually showing sustainable Native Hawaiian fashion by Kekoa Creative
Model wearing He Mano Ka Niho Pō hoodie outdoors demonstrating versatile sustainable Hawaiian streetwear style

He Mano Ka Niho Trash Hoodie - Pō (Black) - Discharge Ink Print

$90.00

Walk with spiritual protection in this powerful Trash Hoodie featuring the He Mano Ka Niho (multitudinous shark teeth) pattern. Made from 100% reclaimed waste cotton terry in a deep Pō (black) colorway with discharge ink printing that reveals the natural reclaimed fabric beneath—a transformative process that mirrors the spiritual journey from darkness into light.‍ ‍pattern: He Mano Ka Niho - Multitudinous Shark Teeth

fit: puffy, boxy, cropped (sits at or above hip)

technique: discharge ink printing (removes reactive dye to reveal natural fabric color)

colorway: Pō (black)

model: 5ʻ7”, 160lbs, wearing a size M

Cultural Significance - He Mano Ka Niho & the Pairing with Pō:

The "He Mano Ka Niho" pattern is a traditional Hawaiian motif that has been used since ancient times in kāpala (bark cloth printing), carving, and adornment. The name carries layered kaona (hidden meaning): "mano" refers to the Hawaiian numbering system meaning multitudinous—traditionally 400, 4,000, 40,000, or 400,000—representing abundance and countless repetition. When read as "manō," the word shifts to mean shark, allowing for additional spiritual interpretation if the wearer chooses to bring that intention to the garment.

The niho mano (shark tooth) pattern appears throughout Hawaiian material culture—in lei niho pāloa (whale tooth pendants worn by aliʻi), in weapons, and in decorative arts. This geometric pattern represents the sharp, repeating forms of shark teeth arranged in rows, creating a design that is both aesthetically powerful and culturally significant. It honors the craftsmanship of our kūpuna (ancestors) who created intricate patterns that carried meaning across generations.

The Pairing with Pō:

The Pō colorway was intentionally selected to pair with the He Mano Ka Niho pattern, creating a visual and conceptual connection rooted in Hawaiian cosmology. In Hawaiian worldview, Pō represents the realm of night, darkness, ancestors, and the primordial void from which all creation emerged. Pō is not simply absence of light—it is the sacred space of potential, transformation, and ancestral wisdom.

The Kumulipo, Hawaiʻi's creation chant, begins in the depths of Pō:

"O ke au i kahuli wela ka honua"
"At the time when the earth became hot"

From Pō came all life, all light (Ao), all knowledge. Our kūpuna dwell in Pō, and it is through this realm that we maintain connection to those who came before us. The discharge printing technique—which removes dye to reveal the natural fabric beneath—mirrors this cosmological journey: from darkness (Pō) emerges the natural, the revealed, the transformed.

By pairing the He Mano Ka Niho pattern with the Pō colorway, this hoodie honors both the traditional artistry of Hawaiian pattern-making and the deep cosmological understanding that connects us to our ancestors and to the cycles of creation.

Size:

Walk with spiritual protection in this powerful Trash Hoodie featuring the He Mano Ka Niho (multitudinous shark teeth) pattern. Made from 100% reclaimed waste cotton terry in a deep Pō (black) colorway with discharge ink printing that reveals the natural reclaimed fabric beneath—a transformative process that mirrors the spiritual journey from darkness into light.‍ ‍pattern: He Mano Ka Niho - Multitudinous Shark Teeth

fit: puffy, boxy, cropped (sits at or above hip)

technique: discharge ink printing (removes reactive dye to reveal natural fabric color)

colorway: Pō (black)

model: 5ʻ7”, 160lbs, wearing a size M

Cultural Significance - He Mano Ka Niho & the Pairing with Pō:

The "He Mano Ka Niho" pattern is a traditional Hawaiian motif that has been used since ancient times in kāpala (bark cloth printing), carving, and adornment. The name carries layered kaona (hidden meaning): "mano" refers to the Hawaiian numbering system meaning multitudinous—traditionally 400, 4,000, 40,000, or 400,000—representing abundance and countless repetition. When read as "manō," the word shifts to mean shark, allowing for additional spiritual interpretation if the wearer chooses to bring that intention to the garment.

The niho mano (shark tooth) pattern appears throughout Hawaiian material culture—in lei niho pāloa (whale tooth pendants worn by aliʻi), in weapons, and in decorative arts. This geometric pattern represents the sharp, repeating forms of shark teeth arranged in rows, creating a design that is both aesthetically powerful and culturally significant. It honors the craftsmanship of our kūpuna (ancestors) who created intricate patterns that carried meaning across generations.

The Pairing with Pō:

The Pō colorway was intentionally selected to pair with the He Mano Ka Niho pattern, creating a visual and conceptual connection rooted in Hawaiian cosmology. In Hawaiian worldview, Pō represents the realm of night, darkness, ancestors, and the primordial void from which all creation emerged. Pō is not simply absence of light—it is the sacred space of potential, transformation, and ancestral wisdom.

The Kumulipo, Hawaiʻi's creation chant, begins in the depths of Pō:

"O ke au i kahuli wela ka honua"
"At the time when the earth became hot"

From Pō came all life, all light (Ao), all knowledge. Our kūpuna dwell in Pō, and it is through this realm that we maintain connection to those who came before us. The discharge printing technique—which removes dye to reveal the natural fabric beneath—mirrors this cosmological journey: from darkness (Pō) emerges the natural, the revealed, the transformed.

By pairing the He Mano Ka Niho pattern with the Pō colorway, this hoodie honors both the traditional artistry of Hawaiian pattern-making and the deep cosmological understanding that connects us to our ancestors and to the cycles of creation.

Sustainability Story:

Part of our Trash Collection, this hoodie transforms textile waste into meaningful cultural fashion. The discharge printing process is an eco-conscious alternative to traditional printing, using a specialized technique that removes reactive dye from the fabric rather than adding layers of ink.

Eco-Friendly Features:

  • Discharge Printing: Removes dye to reveal natural fabric color underneath

  • Uses less ink than traditional screen printing methods

  • Creates soft, breathable prints that become part of the fabric

  • No plastic-based inks sitting on top of the fabric

  • Results in a vintage, lived-in aesthetic from day one

  • Fully biodegradable garment and print

Material Details:

Fabric: 100% reclaimed waste cotton terry
Weight: Medium-heavy weight, soft terry texture
Printing: Discharge ink (dye removal technique)
Fit: Puffy, boxy, cropped (sits at or above hip)
Care: Machine wash cold, hang dry recommended
Sourced through: Everybody.World partnership

Production:

Our Trash Collection clothing is made by Everybody.World, which has been creating biodegradable fabrics from cotton waste since 2016. They support local production in Los Angeles, and all their products are made in the Americas. Their processes use less water, energy, and chemicals to minimize our carbon footprint and environmental impact.

Kekoa Creative's Trash Collection aims to return to the earth, so we made this collection fully biodegradable.

Each hoodie is hand-stamped in small batches at our San Francisco Bay Area studio using discharge ink printing—a specialized technique that removes the reactive dye from the black fabric to reveal the natural reclaimed cotton color underneath. This creates a soft, vintage aesthetic with excellent breathability. Pattern placement may vary slightly, and the design will naturally soften over time with wear and washing, adding to its unique character.

Discharge Printing Technique:

Discharge printing is a specialized textile printing method that removes or "discharges" the dye from fabric rather than adding ink on top. For this Pō hoodie, we apply a discharge agent to the black fabric in the He Mano Ka Niho pattern. The agent removes the reactive dye, revealing the natural cream/tan color of the reclaimed cotton underneath.

Benefits of Discharge Printing:

  • Softer hand feel than traditional screen printing

  • Print becomes part of the fabric, not a layer on top

  • More breathable than plastisol or water-based inks

  • Creates vintage, lived-in aesthetic immediately

  • Eco-friendly process using less material

  • Unique results—each piece varies slightly based on fabric composition

Fit & Sizing:

The Trash Hoodie features a puffy, boxy, cropped fit that sits at or above the hip. This style is designed to be relaxed and comfortable with a modern silhouette.

Sizing Note: If you are taller or prefer more length, we recommend sizing up.

Size Chart:

The Trash Hoodie features a loose & boxy, cropped fit. Each garment contains a unique blend of cotton recycled fibers. Measurements are approximate and may deviate 1" due to variances in the garment dye process.

Trash Hoodie Size Chart

Care Instructions:

  • Machine wash cold with like colors

  • Do not bleach

  • Tumble dry low, inside out

  • To reduce energy use, hang dry in the shade

  • Discharge prints will soften naturally with washing

  • Avoid harsh detergents to preserve the natural fabric reveal

Cultural Context - MAI KAHIKO MAI Series:

The He Mano Ka Niho pattern honors the enduring artistic traditions of Kānaka ʻŌiwi and the craftsmanship of our kūpuna, connecting us to cultural practices that have been passed down across generations.

FAQ:

Q: What does "He Mano Ka Niho" mean?
A: "He Mano Ka Niho" translates to "Multitudinous are the Teeth" or "The Teeth are Countless." The word "mano" refers to the Hawaiian numbering system meaning multitudinous—traditionally representing 400, 4,000, 40,000, or 400,000. The phrase carries additional kaona (hidden meaning): when read as "manō," it can mean shark, allowing for layered interpretation. This traditional pattern has been used in Hawaiian art, weapons, and adornment since ancient times.

Q: What is the cultural significance of the niho mano pattern?
A: The niho mano (shark tooth) pattern is a traditional Hawaiian geometric motif that appears throughout Hawaiian material culture—in kāpala (bark cloth printing), lei niho pāloa worn by aliʻi, weapons, and decorative arts. The repeating triangular forms represent shark teeth arranged in rows, honoring the craftsmanship and artistic traditions of our kūpuna (ancestors).

Q: What is the significance of the Pō colorway?
A: Pō represents the realm of night, darkness, ancestors, and primordial creation in Hawaiian cosmology. It is the sacred space from which all life emerged, where ancestors dwell, and where spiritual transformation occurs. Pairing the He Mano Ka Niho pattern with Pō creates a visual and conceptual connection to ancestral wisdom and the cycles of creation described in the Kumulipo.

Q: Does this hoodie have spiritual meaning?
A: The He Mano Ka Niho pattern is a traditional Hawaiian motif with historical and cultural significance. The spiritual meaning you bring to this garment is your own choice. The pattern and colorway honor Hawaiian artistic traditions and cosmology, and wearers may choose to imbue it with personal or spiritual intention.

Q: What is discharge printing?
A: Discharge printing is a textile technique that removes dye from fabric rather than adding ink on top. For this hoodie, we apply a discharge agent in the He Mano Ka Niho pattern to the black fabric, removing the reactive dye and revealing the natural cream/tan color of the reclaimed cotton underneath. This creates a soft, breathable, vintage aesthetic.

Q: Is this hoodie sustainably made?
A: Yes! Made from 100% reclaimed waste cotton through our partnership with Everybody.World, preventing textile waste while supporting eco-friendly fashion. The discharge printing technique uses less material than traditional printing methods, and the entire garment is biodegradable.

Q: How does the fit run?
A: The Trash Hoodie has a puffy, boxy, cropped fit that sits at or above the hip. It's designed to be relaxed and comfortable. If you're taller or prefer more length, we recommend sizing up.

Q: Will the discharge print fade?
A: The discharge print is permanent—it's created by removing dye from the fabric, not adding a layer on top. The print will soften naturally with washing, creating an even more vintage, lived-in look over time. This is part of the garment's character and charm.

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Glossary:

Mano: Multitudinous; Hawaiian numbering system (400, 4,000, 40,000, 400,000)
Manō: Shark; powerful ocean predator
Niho: Tooth, teeth
He Mano Ka Niho: "Multitudinous are the teeth" or "The teeth are countless"
Niho Mano: Shark tooth; shark tooth pattern used in traditional Hawaiian art
Kaona: Hidden meaning, veiled reference, layered significance
Kāpala: Bark cloth printing; traditional Hawaiian textile decoration
Lei Niho Pāloa: Whale tooth pendant worn by aliʻi, often with niho mano pattern
Pō: Night, darkness; realm of ancestors and creation; primordial void
Ao: Light, day, world; realm of the living
Kūpuna: Ancestors, elders, grandparents
Kumulipo: Hawaiian creation chant; genealogical prayer chant
Aliʻi: Chief, royalty, ruler
Noa: Free, unrestricted; released from kapu (restrictions)

You Might Also Like