New jewelry line represents Hawaii

With the eye for detail that she brings to her selection of jewelry and accessories at Riches, it would have seemed natural for Lo Kaimuloa to branch out into jewelry design as a logical next step in her 22 years of business. But no, that wasn't among her ambitions.

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However, one day, after a hula session with her kumu, Keoni Martin of Halau Hula Na Lei Mokihana, the two started talking about the virtues important in Hawaiian culture, which sparked Kaimuloa's imagination. She'd noticed a gap in the market for a contemporary Hawaiian jewelry line that could be an alternative to the long-standing old-English style of Hawaiian jewelry. That marked the introduction of He'e Nalu, Riches' line of silver jewelry, named in memory of her family's late surfing dog. Many pieces are finished with a dog-bone-shaped toggle bearing He'e Nalu's name.

TRUNK SHOW AT KAHALA EVENT The Riches trunk show is part of Kahala Mall's "Shop with Aloha" celebration, marking the opening of Whole Foods Market. Also taking place tomorrow at 2 p.m. is the "200 Years of Hawaii: The Hawaiian Monarchy Collection" fashion show. The event will offer a glimpse into the evolution of fashion in Hawaii, with an emphasis on royal traditions dating to the time of Kamehameha I. Models of island ancestry including current and former Miss Hawaiis, and prominent kamaaina women will portray royals, including Queen Kaahumanu, Queen Kalama, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop and Princess Miriam Likelike, wearing re-creations of some of their most famous gowns. At the Kahala Mall Center Court.

The line, as well as those by local companies Jennie B. and Beachcomber Designs, will be featured during a jewelry trunk show, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Riches in Kahala Mall, when shoppers will be able to meet the designers. Call 737-3303 to RSVP.

The He'e Nalu line comprises strong, modern designs including circles, stars, hearts and angular forms, bearing a Hawaiian word or kanji on one side and its English equivalent on the reverse. One of Kaimuloa's first designs was a Hawaiian virtues bracelet ($135) of linked sterling charms, each bearing one of eight virtues: aloha (love), hanohano (honor), kuleana (purpose), hilina'i (trust), ohana (family), makoa (courage), pono (righteousness) and olana (hope).

"There were some situations where people came in and said certain usage isn't proper, but I was always taught to follow the teaching of my kumu. Keoni methodically chose every word. It wasn't a quick thing," Kaimuloa said. "We sat down together for a long time, and with each word we'd have talks about its meaning and why it's so important."

The values associated with the words transcend ethnic and cultural divides, and the jewelry crosses gender and age barriers as well, worn by grandmothers to 3-year-olds. Men often opt for larger pendants dangling from rugged black cord.

"We're not a tourist store, but somehow Japanese visitors find their way here," she said, noting they purchase both kanji and Hawaiian versions.

Kaimuloa said the jewelry provides a gentle reminder of life's important values at a time when so many people seem adrift and disconnected from what it means to coexist with the rest of society.

"I'm not saying I live that way, but I try," she said. "If we all lived that way, we would be great, the island would be great, the world would be great. Should I go on?"