Hee Nalu

Heʻe Nalu means “wave riding,” a fitting name for a print inspired by the ocean and all the memories that come with it. The design captures the movement of rolling waves and white water, but it also carries another meaning. The word heʻe is the Hawaiian word for octopus, and the flowing shapes throughout the print were inspired by the graceful movement of a heʻe’s tentacles as they drift through the water, mirroring the motion of the waves.

For Ani, this design is deeply personal. Some of her favorite childhood memories are of her dad taking her surfing every weekend. After spending time in the water, they would search the shoreline for heʻe hiding beneath the rocks. Back home, they would prepare tako poke, a beloved local pūpū enjoyed throughout Hawaiʻi.

This print brings together those memories of surfing, gathering food from the ocean, and spending time with family. It is a celebration of the sea, the traditions passed down through generations, and the special moments that connect us to both.