Inspiration Behind the Ali'i Collection
About four years ago I started down a path of inner development which led to a greater interest in where I come from and who my ancestors were. You see, I am Native Hawaiian, a fact I have always been incredibly proud of. But I didn't grow up there and have only visited twice. So when we decided to go there in September for our honeymoon I couldn't wait to experience it all with a new lens.
On the Big Island we snorkeled in Kealakekua Bay and while you can go there on your own, we chose to go with a tour company. This is something we've been doing more and more on our vacations because you usually learn so much that way. I knew that this bay is a protected marine sanctuary, but what I didn't know is what it meant to the ancient Hawaiians.
The cliffside overlooking the bay isn't just a bunch of rock, it is actually a mausoleum where the Ali'i were buried. In Hawaiian the word Ali'i refers to royalty or a chief or chiefess. This is where the name for this collection came from. Now it is my understanding, but don't quote me on this, that only the Ali'i wore pearls, and specifically black Tahitian Pearls. While you won't find any of those in this collection this time around, almost all of the pearls used came from a family/woman owned shop just up the road from Kealakekua Bay.
These pieces are the beginning of an ongoing collection meant to pay tribute to my ancestors and the land of Hawaii. And I hope that every time you wear your pearls that you will feel all of the mana captured in each piece.
Aloha.
xo, Erica