Micah Kamohoalii (Kumu Micah Kamohoalii) is a Native Hawaiian fashion designer, Hawaiian culture leader, educator, genealogist, filmmaker, and Kumu Hula from Hawaii.[1][2][3][4] He is the founder and CEO of Dezigns by Kamohoalii.[5][6]

Micah Kamohoalii
Born
Waimea,Hawaiian
NationalityNative Hawaiian
Other namesKumu Micah Kamohoalii
Occupation(s)Fashion designer, Kumu Hula, Educator, Genealogist, Filmmaker
Years active2000-Present
Websitehttps://www.dbkamohoalii.com/home

Micah serves as the Cultural Director for the Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders Association and is a Kumu Hula of the traditional Hawaiian dance school Hālau Hula named Hālau Nā Kīpuʻupuʻu of Waimea, Hawaii.[7][8]

Early life and education

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His paternal family comes from the Kapa (bark cloth) traditions, labored work of ancient fabric into a family of Kapa markets.[9][10] Micah is a descendant of Hawaiian royalty, as his maternal grandfather is a direct descendant of the great King Kamehameha, the House of Kamehameha, and the strong Mahi Clan of Kohala.[11][12]

Hālau

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Micah is well respected Kumu hula leading his dynamic Hālau named Hālau Nā Kīpuʻupuʻu, a traditional Hawaiian school of dance. He received the family hālau and started teaching in 2004, focusing on native Hawaiian practices, protocols, arts, customs, culture, and dance.[2][7]

Career

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In 2005, Micah founded the clothing company Dezigns by Kamohoalii.[10][13] The company offers traditional Hawaiian designs of clothing with modern styles. Inspired by his family's rich tradition in the art of kapa, his clothing line has received attention and appreciation from Hawaiian and international customers. Kamohoalii became the first Hawaiian fashion designer and brand invited to the official New York Fashion Week to present his clothing collection.[14][15][16][17] The brand's emotional performance celebrating Hawaiian culture and history received a standing ovation.[18] He received the coveted invites from London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week in Europe.[19][20][21]

Micah is the first Hawaiian fashion designer and Hawaii-based brand to be invited and to present in the "Big Four" of fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris.[22][23]

References

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  1. Hawaii, Bank of. "Kumu Micah Kamohoalii produces 2022 Goodwill Goes GLAM Fashion Show". Bank of Hawaii. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Bolton, Stephanie (2013-03-19). "The Fabric of Community: Kapa Artist and Kumu Hula: Micah Kamohoali'i". Ke Ola Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  3. Ordonio, Cassie (2022-09-26). "A Tale Of 2 Monarchies: Queen Elizabeth's Death Stirs Up Mixed Feelings In Hawaii". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  4. Kamanā, Lia. "Making history | Native Hawaiian fashion designer heads to London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks". Island News. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  5. "ABOUT". dezignsbykamohoalii. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  6. Keller, Ginger (2022-09-21). "Shaking Up the Fashion World". MidWeek. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Yeahpau, Mandy (2013-11-07). "Micah Kamohoali'i". Native Arts and Cultures Foundation. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  8. "Kamohoali'i, Micah – Volcano Art Center". Archived from the original on 2023-08-22. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  9. "Hawaiʻi Fashion Designer Prepares to Hit the Runway at New York Fashion Week". Hawai'i Public Radio. 2021-08-04. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Richardson, Mahealani (2021-07-21). "From Waimea to the runway, a Hawaii designer is about to take on NYC". hawaiinewsnow. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  11. Helland, Katie. "BIG ISLAND TO BIG APPLE". bizjournals. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  12. "Hawaii pays respects to Queen Elizabeth II in London". KHON2. 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  13. Peterkin, Olivia. "Dezigns by Kamohoalii has grand opening for first brick-and-mortar". bizjournals. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  14. Roetcisoender, Isabelle (2021-07-25). "Native Hawaiian Designer Invited to NY Fashion Week". AsAmNews. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  15. "Native Hawaiian designers to showcase culture, heritage at fashion, art shows". Yahoo Entertainment. 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  16. BURNETT, JOHN. "Big Island meets Big Apple at Fashion Week". hawaiitribune-herald. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  17. "Hawai’i Fashion Designer Set For New York Fashion Week Debut | Maui Now". | Hawai’i Fashion Designer Set For New York Fashion Week Debut. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  18. Ridgley, Ijfke. ""From Hawaiian Family Legacy to Fashion Week"". Modern Luxury Hawaii. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  19. "Kamohoaliʻi’s Hawaiʻi designs presented at London, Milan and Paris Fashion Week shows | Maui Now". | Kamohoaliʻi’s Hawaiʻi designs presented at London, Milan and Paris Fashion Week shows. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  20. Keller, Ginger (2022-09-21). "Shaking Up the Fashion World". MidWeek. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  21. Staff, HNN. "Hawaiian culture and fashion hit the runway in London, Milan and Paris". hawaiinewsnow. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  22. "SXSW Sydney panel: Exploring Indigenous tourism with Hawai'i Tourism Oceania – KARRYON". karryon.com.au. 2023-10-18. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  23. Daly, Annie; published, Kainoa Daines (2022-12-23). "Micah Kamohoali'i Is Bringing Native Hawaiian Fashion to the Global Stage". Marie Claire Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-24.