The aloha shirt cognoscenti of Hawaii nod sagely when you tell them you went to Sig Zane in Hilo. Zane is the reigning king of exclusive aloha shirt runs focused entirely on Hawaiian floral and cultural themes. His designs are not only graphically fabuloso but also rare. Because Zane only prints a limited number of each fabric pattern used to make the shirts and dresses and other clothing and cloth items. This asymetrical black shirt is a full buttondown with images of a young and still unfolding native  hapu’u fern tree emblazoned on the sleeves and body. Here’s Sig Zane’s description:

“The endemic tree fern, hāpu‘u, is an image associated with Kīlauea Volcano forests. It is also an icon of an era when gardens of anthuriums were planted in Ka‘ūmana, Pāhoa, and Mountain View areas (before the shade cloth was invented). The image of unfolding fronds is a symbol of being receptive and open, as the mind. It is also representative of budding, figuratively a baby or a child. There are two words that make up the name. Pepe‘e means rolled up, as young fern leaves. ‘Uhola is a term used to unfold, spread. This design layout was done by Kauilanui. It was our first fabric collaboration only because I sat next to him and talked story while he moved the mouse. The name given to the design is reflective of Kauilanui for he is a child budding forth, open and receptive!”

The upshot? Buy that shirt and definitely stop into the Sig Zane shop in Hilo.

Sig Zane Designs
122 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, HI 96720 (Map)
(808) 935-7077