About Us

About the Designer

Aloha mai kākou, I’m Moanikeala — the heart and hands behind Highness.

I was born on the island of Maui and raised in both Kahului and Kīhei. I grew up immersed in Hawaiian language and culture as a haumāna at Kula Kaiapuni o Maui ma Pāʻia, where my earliest memories are of learning ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi, oli, hula, and going on huakaʻi that connected us to ʻāina. After my parents went through a divorce. I moved to the continent when I was 8 years old, then moved to Oʻahu for middle school, and subsequently moved back to the continent for high school. Through all of it, I felt the ache of displacement, the grief of being far from home, far from community, and far from the ʻōlelo that once shaped my everyday world.

After high school, I returned to Oʻahu for college, unsure of my path. I started in nursing at UH but felt a pull I couldn’t ignore. I took Hawaiian Studies and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi electives, which sparked something in me. It wasn’t long after that that I returned to Maui for the first time in five years. This visit back home stirred a deep inspiration within me. That trip home was the catalyst for everything that followed.

I began drawing again. At first, just stickers. Then I launched my first Etsy shop. Slowly but surely, I turned my creativity into a livelihood. I leaped, invested in equipment, and built my website from scratch. Within a month, I went from selling stickers to doing my first pop-up with clothing at Ka Makana Aliʻi. That’s how Highness was born — out of love, longing, and the desire to honor our people.

What Is Highness?

Highness is not just a clothing brand. It’s a cultural movement. A platform where Hawaiian artistry meets advocacy. Every design you see is hand-drawn, created by me with deep intention and aloha. I don't just make clothes, I tell stories. I craft visuals that spark conversations, that connect Hawaiians in the diaspora back to their roots, and that celebrate the beauty and resilience of our lāhui.

Whether it’s through apparel, accessories, or digital storytelling, my mission is to help Hawaiians feel seen and heard, no matter where they live.

The Mission

Highness exists to:

• Uplift Hawaiian voices, especially those in the diaspora

• Reconnect our people to their cultural identity

• Educate others through art and design

• Honor the legacies of our kūpuna while empowering future generations

This brand is rooted in healing, reconnection, and remembering who we are. It's for those of us who had to leave, but never stopped loving home.

About Me

Today, I’m pursuing my degree in Graphic Design and Art Studies while continuing to run Highness full-time. Everything from the art to the branding, website, photography, and social media, I do it all myself. This isn’t just a business; it’s a labor of love.

My goal is to continue growing Highness into a trusted, inclusive space where Hawaiian pride and creativity can thrive, no matter the distance. I dream of a future where my story reaches other kānaka who feel lost or disconnected and inspires them to come home, in whatever way they can.

Stay Connected

Mahalo for being a part of this journey. Whether you're here to support, learn, or just explore, I'm grateful you’re here. Together, we’re perpetuating culture, honoring heritage, and celebrating the royal lineage we all carry.

Follow along:
Instagram: @kou.moanikeala
Shop: highnesshawaii.com

My very first pop-up at Ka Makana Ali'i 2020