Opihi

ʻOpihi is the Hawaiian limpet, a small black shelled mollusk that clings to the rocks along Hawaiʻi’s shoreline. Harvesting ʻopihi is one of the most cherished traditions in the islands, but it is also one of the most dangerous. Gatherers carefully watch the ocean and pick them by hand between waves. For generations, ʻopihi has been a favorite food shared at family gatherings, celebrations, and special occasions.

For Ani, ʻopihi brings back some of her favorite childhood memories. She spent many days with her dad along the shoreline gathering ʻopihi together and enjoying them afterward. Those moments taught her to appreciate the ocean, respect the land, and value the simple traditions that bring people together.

Ani designed this print as a way to honor those memories and the connection so many of us have to the ocean. She chose bright, vibrant colors because they remind her of Hawaiʻi and because they look beautiful on brown skin. She wanted this design to feel joyful, bold, and full of life, just like the memories that inspired it.

More than anything, this piece is about family, culture, and the stories we carry with us from one generation to the next.