This January, Honolulu is celebrating one of Hawai‘i’s most beloved fashion traditions — the muʻumuʻu — with free public exhibits that honor the dress’s cultural roots and creative legacy.

Muʻumuʻu Month is in full swing, and as part of the festivities the City of Honolulu’s Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts teamed up with local vintage craft shop DeStash to present two month-long exhibits at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale. These showcases feature curated looks from notable collections, including pieces from longtime stylist Aunty Lei Batty and legendary Hawaiian designers like Bete Muʻumuʻu, along with contributions from brands such as Nakeʻu Awai, Reyn Spooner, and Liberty House.

Rather than simply displaying garments, the exhibits are meant to highlight the muʻumuʻu as a living symbol of Hawaiian culture— one that connects memory, community, and identity. Honolulu’s Mayor, Rick Blangiardi, emphasized that the dress represents more than fashion: it tells stories about the islands’ history and the people who keep these traditions alive.

Visitors are even encouraged to wear their own muʻumuʻu when attending, bringing a participatory spirit to the celebration. And beyond the main exhibits, a special student-curated display at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Miller Hall highlights vintage muʻumuʻu curated by nearly 30 Waipahu High School students working with the university’s Fashion Design and Merchandising program — an effort that also helps the next generation explore fashion, culture, and career paths in design.

All of the exhibits remain free and open to the public through the end of January, making this an ideal time to explore an iconic piece of Hawai‘i’s cultural tapestry.

Source: HawaiiNewsNow