Hale Kua by Manaola - MAMo Wearable Artshow 2026

An exploration of the cyclical nature of indigenous artistry, where tradition and innovation intertwine. Hale Kua presents stories of inspiration, expressed through pā'ū, a shared artistic medium used by our kūpuna, reimagined for today. Descending from a family of hula practitioners and artisans, Hawaiian culture has shaped the life of Manaola Yap. From infancy he learned hula from his mother, kuru Nani Lim Yap, both at home and through Hālau. with culture as the foundation of his inspiration, Manaola has been able to transform the intrinsic beauty, energy , and history of Hawai'i into visual art as the owner and designer of renowned Hawaiian lifestyle brand, MANAOLA. Reflecting on his own experience with building his business, Manaola Yap recognizesd that indigenous entrepreneurs face unique challenges in their attempts to navigate modern commerce. Together with CEO Zachary Pang, he created Hale Kua in 2018 as a philanthropic approach to supporting indigenous creatives through their entrepreneurial journeys.