NA ALI'I SNAPBACK / "KE'EAUMOKU & EHEUKANI" EDITION

His name translates to “Island-climbing swimmer”. He was the son of the Hawai’i island Ali’i Keawepoepoe and Kūma’aikū, he was born 1736 (22 years prior to the birth of Kamehameha) and died March 21, 1804 of Ma’i Ōku’u (Cholera) in preparation for the invasion of Kaua’i.Often referred to as the war loving chief of Kona or the “Yellow-backed Crab” and was also the father of Queen Ka’ahumanu.

On Kamehameha’s side, he was very proficient in battle strategy and was the head of preparations for war. He was the General on the battlefield, called in ancient Hawai’i nei, Māmakakaua nui. He held leadership of the armies of South Kona which were called the ‘Okaka. Made of 4 “Lau”(400), or 1600 men. He was the first of five chiefs if Kona to back Kamehameha against his cousin Kiwala’ō following the death of Kalani’ōpu’u.

He was an ambitious chief, known to shift his loyalty at will due to the political shifts of the time and in his lifetime had rebelled against Ali’i like Keawe’ōpala, Kalani’ōpu’u, Kamehamehanui and Kahekili. Ke’eaumoku was considered one of the “Children of Alapa’i”, a hui of brave fighters who had helped him secure his rule throughout most of Hawai’i island (Moku o Keawe).

His cloak was named “Eheukani” and was made during his lifetime and completed shortly before the battle of Mokuohai (July 1782) between Kamehameha and Kiwala’o. Principally Mamo feathers with a small crescent of I’iwi feathers on each upper corner by the collar. Between the shoulders, a round spot of black O’o feathers, from which a line of red I’iwi led down to a trifle below the middle of the cloak. The cords at the neck were made of human hair. In the left side of the cloak were seven spear holes that were never patched, and about which had blood stains. Ke’eaumoku was severely wounded in certain battles and it was rather a fancy with the old chiefs to retain the honorable scars of the ahu’ula.

Several portraits and profiles were used in the making of this piece but the main one is a descendent of Ke’eaumoku himself currently living on O’ahu.

This is a custom cut & sew, black cotton, 6-panel, standard size (7&5/8” with all snaps closed) snapback with a square brim and satin interior. Fits up to a size 8” with all snaps open.

Template, graphics, artwork and design created by Kava Roots artist Stephen Koa Kakaio.

• Under the brim is an original oil painting of Kakaio’s vision and version of chief Ke’eaumoku and his ahu’ula(cloak) Eheukani. The interior bucket is an image from a personal graphic novel project depicting Ke’eaumoku arriving in Kona to meet with the other Kona Ali’i.

• Interior stripping bears Hawaiian phrase “Nana I ke Kumu”, meaning: “Return to the source”.

• The exterior has the same embroidery placement as the past Na Aliʻi hats; on the front center is the original Na Aliʻi graphic in 3D embroidery. The left panel bears the Kava Roots logo. The right panel has a custom graphic of two Manu I’iwi in flight. The back right panel has the Na Aliʻi name.

• Kava Roots folded woven label on the snap.

• Custom woven labels on the interior headband with the size, Na Aliʻi name and Hawaiian flag.

Each hat will arrive in a custom black and white satin drawstring bag.