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The Simple Elegance of Pāʻū S T Y LE + B E AUT Y

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The Sayre Foundation’s mission is simple yet profound: to save lives.  HCFCU is proud to support the Foundation and the brotherhood of heroes of the Hawaii County Fire Department in their efforts to protect life, land, and homes on Hawaii Island. For over 27 years, this organization has been a cornerstone of support for our local heroes in the Hawaii Island Fire Department.

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

The Style We Leave Behind Style is often mistaken for trends. We think of clothing, jewelry or the latest look. But on Hawaiʻi Island, style has always meant something deeper. It tells the story of who we are, where we come from and what we choose to carry forward. In this issue, you'll discover style expressed in many forms. You'll step behind the scenes with the women whose hands carefully weave lei. This is not simply beautiful adornments but living symbols of heritage, community and aloha. You'll experience the timeless elegance of life at Kohala Ranch, where equestrian tradition reminds us that true style is built on craftsmanship, discipline and grace. You'll meet local artisans who are reimagining Hawaiian heirloom jewelry, creating pieces designed to become tomorrow's family treasures. And you'll see how Hawaiʻi's next generation of designers is honoring ancestral traditions while shaping the future of island fashion. What connects each of these stories is the understanding that style is never just about appearance. The most enduring style reflects character. It honors the past while embracing the future. It is thoughtful, intentional and unmistakably authentic. Living on Hawaiʻi Island has taught me that beauty is rarely loud. It is found in hands that patiently create, in families who preserve traditions and in people who quietly live with purpose. Those are the expressions of style that never go out of fashion. As you turn these pages, I hope you'll be inspired not only by what you see but also by the stories behind them. Because the greatest style statement any of us can make is simply living a life that reflects what matters most. Aloha,

September 2026 PUBLISHER

Johnny Gillespie | johnny.gillespie@citylifestyle.com CO-PUBLISHER

Taylor Stutts | taylor.stutts@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R I AL C O O R D I N ATO R

Matias Arredondo | matias.arredondo@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Julia Kurppa | julia.kurppa@citylifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N D I R E C TO R

Amanda Troyer | amanda.troyer@citylifestyle.com AC C O U N T M AN AG E R

Nicolas Kimmich | nicolas.kimmich@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sara Stover, Julia Silva Kurppa, Tianna Morimoto C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Julia Silva Kurppa, Fletch Photography, HIE Heirlooms of Hawai‘i

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

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inside the issue SE PTE M B E R 2 02 6 | STYL E

12 Featured

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Departments

The Simple Elegance of Pāʻū A Stylish Celebration of Equestrian Heritage

Fashion Grounded in Living Traditions Hawaiʻi Kuauli Wearable Arts Fashion Show

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Must See LIFE + CULTURE

Inspired By STYLE + BEAUTY

Local Limelight STYLE + BEAUTY

Fashion Forward BEAUTY

Gear Guide BEAUTY

Events

Keeping Tradition Alive

HIE Heirlooms of Hawai’i Shares Stories of Hawaiian Culture Through Solid Gold Jewelry

On the Cover Lei-making and pa’ū wrapping before the 2026 King Kamehameha Day Parade. Photography: Julia Silva Kurppa

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THE SIMPLE ELEGANCE OF PĀʻŪ

“Simplicity is elegance,” the late Barbara Nobriga would remind the pāʻū princesses in the weeks before Kona’s King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade. Whether she was serving as a pāʻū princess, the queen, or the parade chairwoman, it’s a philosophy that Barbara embodied. But confusing “simple” with “easy” would be a mistake for the elaborate arts of pāʻū wrapping and lei making showcased by the parade’s riders. In the hands of pāʻū drapers, colorful fabric is folded and wrapped to form a multi-layered skirt without a single zipper or pin. And tiny shells, berries and kukui leaves are just some of the natural elements used in the handwoven lei for pāʻū riders and their horses. Besides horseback riding, Barbara was deeply committed to perpetuating these pāʻū traditions.

M UST SE E | L I FE + C ULTU RE

ARTICLE BY SARA STOVER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA SILVA KURPPA

A STYLISH CELEBRATION OF EQUESTRIAN HERITAGE

Pāʻū wrapping dates back to the 1800s, when the first horses were introduced to Hawaiʻi and embraced as a mode of transportation. To protect their traditional holokū gowns from dirt and dust, Hawaiian women typically wrapped a 12-yard bolt of fabric around their waists, securing it with six kukui nuts before riding off on horseback. By the 1900s, however, motorized vehicles were preferred for transportation, and pāʻū would have been a lost art form were it not for the Honolulu Washington’s Birthday Floral Parade in 1906, where pāʻū riders in flowing skirts and vibrant lei made their parade debut. In 1967, Barbara was asked to be a pāʻū rider in the King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade as the Princess of Hawaiʻi, which led to her 56-year legacy of organizing the Kona parade and elevating the riding style to the fashionable celebration of equestrian heritage seen in today’s parade. This year, the Pāʻū queen, eight princesses representing each of the major Hawaiian Islands, and their units rode down Aliʻi Drive behind the Grand Marshalls, the Daughters of Hawaiʻi. “The Daughters of Hawaiʻi used yellow and green lāʻī (ti leaf), yellow aaʻlii, kukui leaves, ulu leaves, and kupukupu in our lei. We made bundles with these flowers. It takes about 96 bundles to make a horse lei. Our lei papale (hat lei) had yellow lehua, palapalai, and liko (unbloomed lehua),” says Kimi Nagatoshi, Pā'ū Chair and a Daughter of Hawaiʻi. “The week of the parade, we gathered the lāʻī, aaʻlii, kukui, and kupukupu on Wednesday, and the lehua and palapalai on Thursday. On Friday, we assembled it all. There were a dozen of us helping. Although preparation takes a lot of days and hours, the best part is getting together to make the lei, bringing food, and catching up once a year.” “While the end result on parade day is the most exciting part, there’s something to be said for the time spent together, plugging away at tasks, brainstorming ideas, and pivoting when necessary. It’s during those moments that bonds are formed and strengthened … The sense of connection is half the fun,” adds Ashley Obrey, who represented Niʻihau as the island’s princess. “We made our lei of at least 84k hala puka (discs punched out of lau hala) and used approximately 10k he‘e berry, 66k shells, almost 650 cornhusks, 576 lāʻī, and about 568 ironwood pinecones. With our horse and rider lei, it totaled about 562 feet made by our hands,” Ashley shares. The Niʻihau women’s lei were made of lau hala, he‘e berry and CONTINUED > S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ KO N AC OAST

shells, and their horses wore lei blocked with shells and he’e berry. The men’s lei consisted of lāʻī and shells, and their horses had thick lei made of lāʻī and cornhusk. Ashley’s horse’s lei consisted of nine strands of hala puka, heʻe berry, and ironwood pinecones, and fifteen strands of shells. “We estimate it took eight adults and five keiki about 290 hours to make it all.” “For Molokai, we used kukui leaves for our lei aʻi (neck lei). My ‘ohana helped prepare the leaves a couple days ahead… The day before the parade, my attendants helped wili (string together) leaves onto lāʻī braids for six horses’ lei, lei poʻo (head lei), and lei papale,” says Melanie Moses, who represented Molokai as the island’s princess, riding on a mule to share the history of how it was used to take supplies to the lepers in Kalaupapa. “Each animal’s lei consisted of about 130 leaves. Although it took us all day to finish, we enjoyed each other’s company, talking story and eating Hawaiian food.” “Barbara always reminded us of the importance of remembering why we do this, staying true to our culture, and

M UST SE E | L I FE + C ULTU RE

simplicity. In our lei, we were striving for the simple elegance Barbara spoke about,” Ashley says. Barbara’s dedication to preserving the artistry of pāʻū lives on in a parade that she hoped would transport others back to a simpler time. Despite modern conveniences, however, accomplishing this can come with unforeseen challenges. “The day of the parade, my attendants were on their way to Kona when their trailer’s fender broke. They couldn’t make it, so I rode with my banner person and two outriders,” Melanie recalls. “Aunty Barbara used to say, 'The show must go on,' and that’s what happened.” “There were moments when it felt like we might not finish everything in time, but somehow it all came together. I can’t help but think Barbara had a hand in that,” Ashley adds. “She was with all the pāʻū units this year, as she always is, just in a different way.” In loving memory of Barbara Ann Kamilipua Nobriga, March 7, 1938-April 20, 2026

CONTINUED >

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M UST SE E | L I FE + C ULTU RE

Photo Credit: Fletch Photography

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EQUESTRIAN ELEGANCE THE BEAUTY OF DISCIPLINES FIRMLY GROUNDED IN HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF TRADITION ARTICLE BY JULIA SILVA KURPPA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FLETCH PHOTOGRAPHY

I NSP IR E D BY | STYL E + B E AU T Y

Rooted in a centuries-old tradition, equestrian-style photography transcends a passing trend or the year's most sought-after photoshoot setting. “The Year of the Horse” did not redefine what has been established for generations; though recently thrust into the spotlight, this newfound attention did not shape its identity. Its culture and expression remain unchanged—a rare treasure in this modern era of constant shifting and fleeting trends. It is well-established, requiring no adaptation or accommodation. This visual story portrays how equestrian elegance endures through time, outlives seasonal changes, navigates life's phases and rejects cultural vanities, staying true to its quiet confidence of precision and grace. These photographs invite us to explore Kohala Ranch, a private community of equestrian estates envisioned by Tom Gentry. English culture has had an undeniable influence on Hawaiʻi, and its riding traditions have found a natural home on the islands as well. Disciplines such as dressage and jumping prevail under the care of Katie Hodges. These are only a few of the artful disciplines preserved on a modern equestrian estate. CONTINUED > S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ KO N AC OAST

I NSP IR E D BY | STYL E + B E AU T Y

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Catering by Community Eats

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Fashion Grounded

in Living Traditions

CREATING SPACE FOR THE RECLAMATION OF CULTURAL NARRATIVES THROUGH CONTEMPORARY POLYNESIAN FASHION ARTICLE BY SARA STOVER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FLETCH PHOTOGRAPHY

From the moment that the beat of an ancient drum echoes through Kamakahonu Ballroom, it’s clear that the Hawaiʻi Kuauli Wearable Arts Fashion Show is far from your ordinary runway event. “We open with a cultural performance, grounding the experience in the living traditions that inspire the collections,” says Oriana Keparutis, who originally created the show for her Cultural Business Internship with the Pacific Legacy Institute in 2018. “The lineup elevates new voices while celebrating renowned creatives who are using fashion to preserve their cultures.” For Kumu Hula Micah Kamohoaliʻi of Dezigns by Kamohoaliʻi, that means perpetuating kapa making, ʻohe kāpala, kākau, and other Hawaiian arts that his family has practiced for generations. “These traditions provide the visual language and cultural foundation for many of my designs.I often begin by CONTINUED >

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | STYLE + BE AU T Y

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“FASHION ENABLES US TO CELEBRATE ANCESTRAL KNOWLEDGE WHILE DEMONSTRATING THAT OUR CULTURE IS NOT FROZEN IN THE PAST.” —KUMU MICAH,

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | STYLE + BE AU T Y

studying traditional motifs, symbolism and design principles. I then reinterpret those using modern textiles, digital design technology, contemporary garment construction and fashion-forward silhouettes, bridging ancestral knowledge with contemporary expression,” says Kumu Micah. Other designers, like House of Kamamalu’s Kira Kamamalu, lean toward an evolution of traditional fabrics: “I bring in the tradition of palaka, which is an identity fabric for us, while steering toward the punk side.” For Alepa Collective designers LeiAloha Nakaya and Kuuwai Kahokuloa, connection to cultural roots and commitment to creating with intention is pivotal to this fashion evolution. “This allows tradition and innovation to co-exist,” says LeiAloha, who incorporates Niʻihau shells into every design, reflecting her family’s ties to the island and her husband Kuuwai’s heritage. Funk N Soul97’s Tia Semi, a model and designer with disabilities, brings resort wear reflecting traditional Polynesian designs all the way from Australia. “Some of my prints are

inspired by my Samoan heritage through my father and patterns in his tattoos, which I transform into hand-printed fabrics,” says Tia, who represents both her culture and people living with disabilities by pushing boundaries. For generations, many aspects of Polynesians’ visual culture and design practices were suppressed, altered or misunderstood. Contemporary fashion creates a space where those narratives can be reclaimed. “As Hawaiians, we lost confidence because we were told not to be ourselves. But wearing high-quality, crafted clothing makes us feel good about who we are,” says lifestyle brand KUA’s Makua Camarao. “If someone sees a design and asks, ‘What story is being told here?’ then the garment has begun doing its job. If a wearer dresses in my lightning print pattern because they need mana for a meeting, then it’s serving its purpose,” adds Kumu Micah. “Fashion enables us to celebrateʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge) while demonstrating that our culture is not frozen in the past. It is alive, evolving and thriving.” S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ KO N AC OAST

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KEEPING TR ADITION ALIVE

HIE Heirlooms of Hawaiʻi Shares Stories of Hawaiian Culture Through Solid Gold Jewelr y ARTICLE BY TIANNA MORIMOTO PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIE HEIRLOOMS OF HAWAIʻI

FASH ION F OR WA R D | BE AU T Y

From learning ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi to dancing hula and the clothes and accessories that are worn, Hawaiian traditions are not only felt but also lived, and two women continue to keep a piece of Hawaiʻi alive through their jewelry company, HIE Heirlooms of Hawaiʻi.

“It’s meant to be a really inclusive brand, and I hope everyone can find something that resonates with them.” Meleana Estes and Noel Shaw are lifelong friends who went to high school together on the island of O‘ahu. Years later, after having kids around the same time, they both wanted to get a Hawaiian heirloom bracelet to honor becoming moms. “There’s so much tradition and mana that goes into each bracelet when we wear it all the time—it’s like a part of us,” says Meleana. The Hawaiian heirloom bracelet was first pictured in an 1862 portrait of Lydia Lilʻu Loloku Walania Kamakaʻeha—the future queen of Hawaiʻi. Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaiʻi’s last monarch, designed this solid gold bracelet herself, inscribing it with the phrase “Hoʻomanaʻo Mau,” which means “to remember always.” The bracelet signified her royal status, with designs such as fleur de lis, chevrons and kāhili. Today, Hawaiian heirloom bracelets are typically given on any occasion or significant life milestone, such as daughters turning 16, graduates or expecting

mothers. The intricate design, name engraving and solid gold material meant to last lifetimes and be passed down through generations. Meleana and Noel decided to make their own bracelets after experiencing difficulty in finding the right styles. “We wanted them to look like the bracelets we grew up with. The ones that our grandmas had gifted us,” says Meleana. They launched HIE Heirlooms of Hawaiʻi in 2023 with the mission of perpetuating the tradition of Hawaiian heirloom jewelry inspired by Queen Liliʻuokalani. HIE comes from the Hawaiian word “māhie,” which means attractive, distinguished, and dignified. The team at HIE works together to create jewelry designs and special pieces, taking inspiration from their environment, during travel and reading. They then work with a production manager to bring their vision to life. CONTINUED > S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ KO N AC OAST

“We take our time with things. We don’t just design and go,” says Meleana. “Until it feels ready and aligned with all of us, and it makes our hearts sing, then that product is ready to be launched.” The jewelry at HIE is made with real 14K gold to ensure durability and be an heirloom that’s passed down through generations. “They’re not meant to be something that’s going to dent,” says Meleana. HIE’s collection includes gold bangles, bracelets, rings and necklaces. Some pieces were inspired by heirlooms from Meleana and Noel’s families. For example, the Amelia Ana bangle was named after Meleana’s tūtū (grandmother). She took inspiration from her tūtū’s bracelet and incorporated it into this design, which features detailed etching flanking each side of the name engraving. All HIE bracelets are stamped with the HIE flower that showcases Hawaiian culture. This flower combines the crown flower, or pua kalaunu, which was Queen Liliʻuokalani’s favorite flower, as well as the English tuba rose, the Queen of England’s favorite flower. “It sort of melds the inspiration of the style of jewelry, the friendship between the queens, women bonding, women representing each other, and women supporting each other,” says Meleana. HIE Heirlooms of Hawaiʻi is based on Oʻahu, where their beautiful jewelry can be found in boutiques and at monthly trunk shows. They also travel for pop-ups at resorts along the Kona Coast, Maui and Kauaʻi. HIE offers a Kamaʻaina program. “The cost of living here is crazy. Hawaiʻi is getting more and more inflated, and we feel that, being born and raised here, we just want to honor the people who actually live in Hawaiʻi day to day.” Meleana says that through HIE Heirlooms of Hawaiʻi, they have been able to connect with many people, share stories and educate others about the history, culture and traditions of Hawaiʻi through their jewelry. “It’s about understanding Hawaiʻi's history; it's about understanding the place and being present in a place, and if you want to take something home from that place that has touched you, to me that’s really great,” says Meleana.

FASH ION F OR WA R D | BE AU T Y

Whether it’s a visitor who learned about Hawaiʻi’s history or women on the mainland who recognize the Hawaiian bracelets, this jewelry is truly for anyone. “It’s meant to be an inclusive brand, and I hope everyone can find something that resonates with them.” To learn more about HIE Heirlooms of Hawaiʻi, visit HIEHawaii.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S

SE PT E M BE R 3 RD

Paniolo BBQ & Slack Key Celebration Pukalani Stables, Waimea | 4:00 PM Experience Hawaiʻi's ranching heritage firsthand with an evening of authentic food, music, and storytelling under Mauna Kea. The event features farm-to-table island produce and local beef cooked over open flames. Guests can enjoy live Hawaiian slack-key guitar performances in the stables while listening to history shared by multi-generational ranching families. MalamaKoAloha.com. SE PT E M BE R 3 RD

Keauhou Farmers Market Kailua-Kona Bay | 10:00 AM The Queen Lili'uokalani Canoe Race began in 1972 as a training event for Molokai-to-Oahu races. Named after Hawaii’s last monarch, it has grown into the world's largest long-distance canoe race. Held over Labor Day weekend, the four-day event now hosts over 2,500 global paddlers, featuring various race divisions, a torchlight parade, and a luau. QLCanoeRace.com. SE PT E M BE R 7 T H

He Hali'a Aloha No Lili'uokalani Festival Lili’uokalani Gardens, Hilo | 10:00 AM This event commemorates the historical importance of Lili‘uokalani Gardens and features a variety of activities such as music, hula, art displays, artisanal crafts, culinary delights, live demonstrations, engaging children’s games and culturally enriching experiences. LiliuokalaniGardens.org. SE PT E M BE R 1 1 T H

2026 Run for Hope Four Seasons Resort Hualālai | 6:30 AM The 2026 Run for Hope weekend of events to benefit cancer research are planned to take place on Friday and Saturday, September 1112. The Run for Hope is a non-competitive 10K run/5K run/5K walk event. Registration typically opens at 6:30 a.m. along the beautiful, manicured resort landscape. WestHawaiiCancer.org. SE PT E M BE R 1 7 T H

2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks Volcano National Park | 1:00 AM Come experience the national parks during Constitution Day! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). The park is open 24/7. Home.NPS.Gov.com. SE PT E M BE R 1 9 T H

Peace Day Parade and Festival Honoka’a Town | 8:00 AM Come and join a day dedicated to Peace. The day-long festivities are organized and produced by the Peace Committee. Interested organizations and vendors are encouraged to reach out via email at events@honokaahongwanjibuddhisttemple.org. Contributions of items or in-kind donations towards our silent auction are also welcome. Share our Facebook event with your friends and family to join us.

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