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.

January 27, 2026

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.

“I wanted to bring people together to celebrate our fashion, our stories and the deep roots of the muʻumuʻu, and to create a space for connection and learning,” Batty says. “Muʻumuʻu Month honors the history behind these garments while also celebrating the renewed appreciation for wearing them today as expressions of culture, comfort and identity.”

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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

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.

“I chose to showcase Mamo Howell because her styles, prints and personal story have been deeply impactful to me, and I hear that same connection reflected in the stories shared by so many of my customers,” Batty says.

The show was accompanied by a talk story session with HoMA curator and Hawai‘i fashion expert Tory Laitila and Syl Kop, a garment designer and pattern maker who formerly worked alongside Howell. Kop spoke about construction, fit and the care that went into Howell’s designs, offering meaningful insight into the craftsmanship and thought behind each garment.

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