Meet Kekoa Hager

We recently connected with Kekoa Hager and have shared our conversation below.

Kekoa, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

We have the Hawaiian phrase “i mua,” meaning “to move forward” or “to advance.” I’ve often considered this phrase during challenging and joyful moments. Moving forward isn’t limited to difficult times; it’s also in those cherished moments when you are presented multiple paths. Your conviction in making a decision propels you forward.

My mother has mixed Hawaiian ancestry, while my father has mixed white American ancestry. Physically, I resemble my mother more, but more significantly, I was raised in her culture. After my parents’ divorce when I was young, my mother and I became part of the Hawaiian diaspora to the Pacific Northwest. Eventually, we settled in the California Central Valley, where I had not met another Hawaiian person outside of Hawaiʻi until I reached high school.

The unique Hawaiian worldview, shaped by the isolation of Pacific people for tens of thousands of years, differs significantly from continental cultures. It always felt odd how people would ask “what are you?” Or “what is your mix?” Like I was a puppy at a dog pound, with a potential owner assessing my pedigree. Then when I would answer that I’m part Hawaiian, nearly always, the follow up question would be “How much? Like what percentage? I just love Maui. You have such a pretty skin color.” I thought, what does this have to do with me? These weren’t just people I was getting to know, like potential friends. No, these were passersby at grocery stores, checkout cashiers at malls, and later, hiring managers during interviews. I found out it was because I looked so “exotic,” whatever that means. I became isolated in my identity, having it retreat deep into myself, a direct result of my Hawaiian diaspora experience. First with friends, then with coworkers, I had to constantly code-switch and shield my own culture as to protect myself to not be questioned and assessed for “quality,”as I could understand their perspective but when trying to explain my own, it never was understood in the same way. I think I’ve always survived isolation in the outside world because Hawaiʻi was my piko—my center. But when I graduated and landed my first tech-job in the San Francisco Bay area, I realized my home, work, and social life were always in conflict with who I am. I had to stop and say to myself “what am I doing?” And “for what?”

In that moment, I heard a voice in my head, “I mua, move forward and see what happens.” Was the path I was on for me, or not? If not, what would it look like if it was? I changed jobs, disciplines, and moved closer to both my creative and more human sides. All of a sudden, I found that my differences which were always a point of assessment by others, were now my strengths and were something that made me valuable and my thoughts, ideas, and opinions meaningful.

It’s only recently that I’ve come to understand that Hawaiʻi has become my piko once again, it had been packed away for protection, hidden so well by my ancestors I had forgotten where it was and what it sounded like. Today, Hawaiʻi is with me wherever I go. Now, I have a deeper understanding of “I mua.” It’s not just about moving forward; it’s about progressing with your naʻau, the Hawaiian word for the gut, the seat of one’s subconscious where your deepest self lives who knows what’s right and true—what is pono. When you move through life and make decisions based on that feeling, you never look back with regret. That’s what “I mua” means to me now. In everything I do, I know I can find clarity, comfort, and the confidence to do what should be done, even when I’m the only one in the room who believes it.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Aloha mai everyone, ʻo wau ʻo Kekoa Hager, and I am the founder and designer of Kekoa Creative. It has taken me since the 2020 global pandemic to develop the brand on my own and finally fully launch in 2024. I’m Kanaka ʻŌiwi, a descendant of the original people of the Hawaiian Islands. I was raised in my Hawaiian culture at home, spending my early childhood amongst my kūpuna, or elders, in my family. My journey from Oʻahu to Las Vegas and eventually to the San Francisco Bay Area shows how diverse the Hawaiian Diaspora is. Now based in Richmond, California, Kekoa Creative focuses on Slow Fashion & Design and on uplifting other Kanaka-owned small businesses by selling their products on our retail platform as well. We make sure every product, whether made locally or outsourced, is carefully crafted with respect for the environment and cultural traditions.

With ties to Waiʻanae, Oʻahu, and ancestral connections to Maui nui a Piʻilani and Moku o Keawe, I draw inspiration from my heritage in the modern era through the patterns I create. I use natural fibers and reclaimed waste cotton to create clothing and accessories that reflect our connection to the natural environment. We’re passionate about Slow Fashion, crafting our products with a commitment to sustainability and minimal environmental impact. Our printing process uses non-toxic water-based and algae inks, which further emphasizes our dedication to non-toxic and sustainable practices.

At Kekoa Creative, we are adamant on supporting other Hawaiian-owned small businesses that align with our core values of sustainability, community, and authenticity. I firmly believe that my work not only reflects my passion for design but also my unwavering dedication to mālama pilina, which means building strong relationships within the diaspora community by supporting Hawaiian culture and other Kanaka-owned businesses. By carefully curating a selection of products from these talented artisans, we create a platform for our customers to connect with and support authentic Hawaiʻi, free from the extractive influence of American tourism, keeping profits in Hawaiian hands. Together, we strive to uplift and empower Hawaiian entrepreneurs, ensuring that their creative visions flourish, endure, and resonate both within Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Through Kekoa Creative, I aspire to continue honoring the rich heritage of Hawaiian diaspora experiences while charting a sustainable path forward. I am proud to call California home and to keep the spirit of aloha of the Hawaiian people alive and strong in my own way. If you would like to support our movement, please feel free to check out our e-commerce website kekoacreative.com or follow us on Instagram @kekoacreative. We will be at various creative markets in the SF Bay Area such as Head West Marketplace and are hoping to attend some cultural festivals this year as well. If you have any questions or just want to reach out, I would love to talk-story with you folks! Aloha nō ~ Kekoa.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

For me, the most important qualities are having aloha, being observant, and seeking knowledge. Aloha, a core value in Hawaiian culture most misunderstood by the West, encompasses a state of being connected to oneself and others. It’s not just about family or partners; it extends to everyone you meet. Everything in the Hawaiian worldview is meaningful and not random. Aloha also means being mindful of your environment. It’s why you water your plants and care for others’ feelings. It’s about being both righteous in your decisions and acknowledging your mistakes. Aloha is not something you own or possess; it’s a state of being that you cultivate within yourself for the benefit of others. It’s always intended to serve a purpose.

The second important quality is being observant. This is a lifelong learning process in Hawaiian culture. As children, we’re expected to be aware of ourselves, our surroundings, and others. This awareness can lead to simple acts of kindness, like helping a parent or elder in need without waiting for them to ask. It also helps us professionally, by recognizing the timing of opportunities and anticipating situations. We consider the potential impacts of our decisions and those of others. Observation is a reflection of the natural world and understanding cause-and-effect. It allows us to connect our external senses to our internal ones, such as empathy, compassion, anxiety, depression, joy, and excitement.

Observation is the key to cultivating the last skill: nurturing one’s thirst for knowledge. In this age of information, it’s more crucial than ever to explore and investigate further the subtle details of things we could otherwise just look up online. What do you do with that information and what is your understanding of it? How can it be applied and applied well? Isn’t that why knowledge is so important? Knowledge empowers individuals and those around them in any situation and can be applied to all aspects of life. The subtlety in the nuances that make a difference in one’s life is what truly sets knowledge apart. It’s something that can never be lost or taken away from you. Moreover, it can be passed down through generations. However, it must be cultivated, and each individual must understand what knowledge means to them personally. It’s not a one-size-fits-all concept.

Considering these three principles—aloha, observation, and knowledge—choosing paths to tread becomes significantly easier for me. It’s because you have the confidence to make decisions that align with your naʻau- your gut. For anyone trying to develop these skills for the first time or who are trying to advance further, don’t be afraid. Fear is what holds us back. Sometimes, if something resonates with you, just try it, make the switch, and don’t care about the invisible shackles that make you feel like there’s something you can’t do—because you can. Both starting a journey and continuing a journey are the same; they both involve being fearless and deciding to take a step forward. I mua! Go forth! You got this.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

You see, I never formally studied design or learned how to sew. I never took a fashion course at university. I am actually formally educated and trained in science. I have both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in the sciences and had a career in engineering technology for nearly a decade. But when I decided to change my career and change my life, I didn’t let my past trajectory dictate my future. I decided to recreate the version of myself that could only walk down one path and instead, I sought a better route—something more uluwehi—lush and overflowing with life, a sunnier path, a happier path full of meaning where I could actually see my destination. And that destination was something I knew I would be happy with, but more than that, I would also travel there with joy.

I had developed my creative skills from scratch. I started working with a Hawaiian cultural nonprofit and used my skills of learning new things, seeking knowledge, and finding answers to learn how to create visual designs, illustrations, and marketing materials for advertisements and cultural programs. I began with something and when I learned how to do it better, I went back and revised it, implementing the changes. I would incorporate them into the next social media post for the organization or in their website design.

It was always about: well, I may not be the best at this now, but if I continue to want to do better, then I will. And not only that, it was because it was fun and exciting, and everything I had wanted to do creatively was finally coming together. I was recentering my focus on people and not products. After acquiring design skills through this nonprofit organization, I made a decision to embark on a journey of starting my own business. My vision was to create patterns, experiment with colors, and express my Hawaiian culture not only visually but also through tangible items that people can use or even wear. This inspired me to establish my company, Kekoa Creative, which primarily focuses on fashion and design. However, I also envision expanding my horizons into ceramics or other forms of art, allowing my creativity to guide me wherever it may lead.

To achieve my goals, I began taking online courses in fashion design and delved into textbooks on pattern making and textiles. I also acquired sewing and screen printing skills through Skillshare and started creating my own garments. This process of learning and experimentation was incredibly enjoyable, and I relished the opportunity to try something new and seek out more information to expand my knowledge. By continuously acquiring knowledge, producing items that I was even happier with, and finally starting Kekoa Creative. I gradually moved closer to my destination, a bright and fulfilling future I can finally see myself a part of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kekoacreative.com
• Instagram: @kekoacreative