The Designer
Inspired by his cultural upbringing as a native Hawaiian hula practitioner, self-taught fashion designer Manaola Yap translates Hawaiian spirituality and Hawai’i’s natural beauty into prints that embody repetitious patterns found in nature.
Manaola Yap was born into a family whose cultural and artistic roots run deep into the volcanic soil of Hawai‘i Island. For generations before contact with the West, his ancestors were hula practitioners and artisans of traditional Hawaiian textiles and dyes; more recently, his family has become known for its award-winning musical talent. Raised amid this tradition of creativity, Manaola stands upon the strong foundation laid out by his kūpuna (ancestors).
Manaola learned the art and technique of costume creation and styling from his mother, Kumu Hula (hula teacher) Nani Lim Yap, and it was through this transfer of knowledge that his interest in fashion was first sparked. As his interest in fashion grew, he began to research the history of pre- and post-contact fashion in Hawai‘i. At the same time, he continued to develop as a skilled hula practitioner and his connection with his ancestral roots—and with Hawai‘i—deepened. Out of this synergy of interests, Manaola began to conceive of an idea: could he translate the spirituality of Hawaiian culture, and the beauty and wonder of Hawai‘i, into an artistic language that could be shared with the entire world, and understood by all?
This fashion brand is Manaola’s answer to that question. Featuring bold, printed patterns that embody the Hawaiian spirit and evoke the beauty and geometry of nature, this brand introduces to the world Manaola’s vision for Hawaiian fashion in the 21st century.
Our Purpose
To protect, cultivate and sustain indigenous culture through purpose driven practices.
Our Values
MANAOLA is defined by its connection to purpose and place through the practice of native Hawaiian values.
Our Values
MANAOLA is defined by its connection to purpose and place through the practice of native Hawaiian values.
Our Commitment
MANAOLA furthers its goals and promise to native empowerment by ensuring authentic, quality innovations and seeking kuleana-based partnerships to nurture the local community, and indigenous artistry.
Mission Statement
MANAOLA is the Hawaiian lifestyle brand that creates indigenous artistry empowered by cultural values and ancestral knowledge.
Mission Statement
MANAOLA is the Hawaiian lifestyle brand that creates indigenous artistry empowered by cultural values and ancestral knowledge.
The Process
After creating a concept for a pattern, Manaola hand-carves his designs into bamboo laths. These thin pieces of wood are then used in a traditional Hawaiian stamping technique called ‘ohe kāpala. In traditional Hawaiian artistic thought, these repetitious patterns emulate nature and create a powerful symmetry, which Manaola refers to as “sacred geometry.”
The art and practice of ‘ohe kāpala dates back more than a thousand years to the early migration of Polynesian settlers in Hawai‘i. Kapa, a traditional Hawaiian cloth made from wauke or māmaki bark used for clothing and bedding, was often adorned with patterns created with these bamboo tools. Just as it was done then, Manaola gathers the native variety of ‘ohe (bamboo) exclusively by hand, without the aid of machine tools. In this way, he honors the traditional art of ‘ohe kāpala. After each stamp is hewn from the wood, it is then digitized and transferred onto high quality fabrics that Manaola uses to create his fashion-forward clothing. Each MANAOLA design is original and a unique reflection of the artist’s creativity.
