Amazing Mu‘umu‘u Worn for Mu‘umu‘u Month 2026

Guests donned beautiful mu‘umu‘u and enjoyed a Mamo Howell fashion show in celebration of the 11th anniversary of Mu‘umu‘u Month.

3 hours ago

Brie Thalmann,

Photos: Aaron K. Yoshino

January has become one of my favorite months for fashion in Hawai‘i, thanks to its designation as Mu‘umu‘u Month. And as 2026 marked the 11th anniversary of the monthlong celebration, Lei Batty, owner of the mu‘umu‘u boutique DeStash Hawai‘i (one of our Best of Honolulu 2025 award winners), and downtown Honolulu art museum Capitol Modern teamed up for an afternoon of mu‘u-themed festivities on Saturday, Jan. 24.

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Lei Batty in Mamo Howell
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Christine Hubbard, Franceska Durkin-Tang, Sarina Robinson, all in Mamo Howell
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Kalamakūokana‘auao Crabbe in Puamana Crabbe Designs
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Shana Yoshinaga-Yoshino in Liberty House by Nali‘i Honolulu and Aaron K. Yoshino in Sig Zane Designs
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Bonnie Messina in Kamehameha
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Candy Seleni in Mamo Howell, Pua‘ala Bishaw-Wilbur in Hawai‘i, Aloha Jones in Mamo Howell
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Dixie Howell, Lahela Howell, both in Mamo Howell, Rob Rudd in Reyn Spooner
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U‘ilani Plunkett in Nani, Kamakahukilani Plunkett in Princess Ka‘iulani Fashions
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Carly Young in Mamo Howell
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Donna Hanaike, Zoe Zen, Stella Zen, Alexa Zen, all in Mamo Howell
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Marika Emi in Tutuvi
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Haru Yonamine and Yayoi Kadota, both in Mamo Howell
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Chris Burnett in Princess Ka‘iulani Fashions
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Patria Weston in Mamo Howell
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Johnette Wicker in Manaola, Julie Patacchia in Manaola, Melissa Meek in Kahua ‘Āīna
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Pia Chock in Cascade House
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Tory Laitila in his own design, Maka‘ala Perry, Brandy Perry and Pi‘ikea Fisher, all in Mamo Howell
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Oetia Kauakahi in Oeita's Oeuvre
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Leina‘ala Riela-Enoka in Kaikamahine, Sheri Pascua-Bennett in Mamo Howell
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Alina Movai in Manuheali‘i
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Karen Sbarbaro, Beth Bond, both in Liberty House, Gianna Sbarbaro in Hawai‘i Nei
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Photos: Aaron K. Yoshino

The free event included a mākeke, where you could swap and shop previously loved mu‘u from Mu‘umu‘u Library, Princess Ka‘iulani Fashions, Pau‘ole Corner, Icon Relics Hawai‘i, DeStash Hawai‘i and more. There were also pop-up shops by Studio Kolea, Malia Anderson, Design Jord, Lani’s Lole and JY Shell Creations.

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Guests were treated to a talk story session with HoMA curator and Hawai‘i fashion expert Tory Laitila. And the celebration culminated in a fashion show featuring gorgeous mu‘umu‘u by native Hawaiian designer Lei Mamo Howell. An icon of Hawai‘i’s alohawear industry, Howell danced hula professionally and was a runway model in New York and Paris before launching her label in 1978 at age 45. Though she initially started out designing baby blankets, Howell eventually expanded her line to include apparel and accessories featuring Hawaiian quilt and lei motifs, and operated a Mamo Howell boutique at Ward Warehouse for more than 20 years.

Brie Thalmann is the home and style editor of HONOLULU Magazine.