Uluhe Fern

Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou! (Happy New Year!) The start of a new year is the perfect time to take a moment and reflect. What will this new year bring you? Do you have any goals or hopes for this next chapter?

For us, we are focusing on grounding ourselves. It’s hard to find that place of peace amid all the craziness life throws at you! Our newest print, Uluhe, will hopefully serve as a visual reminder to take that deep breath and breathe in a little calm in between the chaos. 

Uluhe, also known as the false staghorn fern, is found all over the major Hawaiian Islands. It is especially abundant in the wetter east forests of the Big Island. Our founder, Leilani, fondly remembers seeing Uluhe on trail runs through Volcano National Park back in high school and during hikes along the Koʻolau Summit Trail in her young adult days. The Uluhe fern represents a time when she was immersed in nature and brings her to a place of peace.

This dense fern is one of the first plants to colonize bare land after a lava flow, which is possibly why it is a symbol of rebirth and growth. Uluhe grows in dense thickets, which not only helps with soil preservation, but creates a lovely foundation for other plants to flourish. It is a ‘keystone species’ in Hawaiian ecosystems, meaning that other species in the rainforest depend so much on it that if it were to be removed, the entire ecosystem would drastically change. Think of it as the glue that holds the habitat together!

What better way to start the new year than with this beautiful reminder of resilience and new beginnings! This gorgeous print is an exclusive design by Malie Moana for the Keiki Dept, and we are thrilled with how it came out.

Every year we choose a theme to center our designs around, and this year we will celebrate all things ‘āina (land). We’re so excited to showcase the beauty of the special plants that grow right here in Hawaii. Keep an eye on your inbox and make sure you’re signed up for our ʻOhana Insiders so you always have a heads up when new drops are coming your way!