‘Ama’u Fern Teal Sleeveless Women's Aloha Shirt

Women’s sleeveless aloha shirt. Real coconut buttons. Hand-drawn fabric print illustrations. Designed, cut, and sewn in Hawai‘i on imported fabric. Made with draping 100% rayon viscose twill fabric. Rayon viscose is a fiber that is intended as a silk substitute derived from wood pulp, making it a natural fabric that is more breathable than cotton. No plastic, polyester, or cotton is used here; instead, enjoy this all-natural wood pulp fiber with luxurious silk textured. Machine wash and dry on a gentle setting. 'Ama'u is a pioneer species, one of the first plants to grow in the lava rock and cinder around the Kīlauea volcano. Nowhere are 'ama'u tree ferns found in more abundance than around Kīlauea at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. In fact, Halemaʻumaʻu, the name of the main volcanic crater, literally means the home of the 'ama'u.

THE STORY BEHIND THE DESIGN

Although found throughout the Hawaiian islands, nowhere are ‘ama‘u tree ferns found in more abundance than around Kīlauea at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. In fact Halema‘uma‘u, the name of the main volcanic crater, literally means the home of the ‘ama‘u. The striking red color of the young leaves contrasts with the green-blue that they later become and echoes the nightly glow of the adjacent crater lava.

This design highlights the delicate complexity of this tree fern growing on ever changing lava, it highlights the lava’s creative and destructive power. Many Hawaiian legends tell the stories of Kamapua‘a, a mischievous pig demi-god who takes on many forms including the kinolau (physical form) of the ‘ama‘u tree fern. He is best known for his tempestuous fiery relationship with the volcano goddess Pele. This design flirts with the story of their relationship.