There’s something new at Hukilau Marketplace! It is a clothing shop that offers T-shirts and other items unique to this store. It also embraces the rich history of the hukilau in Lāʻie. The Hukilau Store at Old Lāʻie Bay occupies 1400 square feet in a building that used to be used for ticketing. Now more people buy their tickets before they come to the Center, so the Reservations Department can operate in less space. Hukilau Marketplace organizers realized this was a great opportunity to use the building to create a unique shopping experience. 

 Hawaiian Tradition with a New Twist

Local island décor blends with designer merchandise

The store design reflects the history of the Hawaiian hukilau tradition, in tribute to the early fundraising efforts of the people of Lāʻie. In the 1940s, when the people needed money to build a new church, they came up with a plan to hold a hukilau for the whole island of Oʻahu. Anyone who wanted to could join in casting the nets into the sea and helping to haul the catch onto shore. They then cooked the fish and entertained their guests. The people who ate the dinner paid for the evening’s fun. That event was the starting place for the concept of the Polynesian Cultural Center. 

 Old North Shore Feel

Hand-carved canoe by local artists sets the scene

The most striking component of the décor at The Hukilau Store at Old Lāʻie Bay is a canoe made by master carver Tuione Pulotu, majestically echoing the history of Lāʻie Bay. This beautiful centerpiece sets the tone for the island experience that fills the space. A projector shows various hukilau videos on the sail of the canoe. It’s a clever effect. 

The Koʻolauloa Mountains soar to the highest height of the room

One wall of the shop is papered with an enlarged black and white photograph of a hukilau, paired with the lyrics to classic song of the same name. Another wall displays a locally produced mural of the North Shore’s Koʻolauloa Mountains that rises to the rafters. Adding to the island spirit are textured weavings produced by local craftspeople, used as wall covering, and beautiful cultural items as decoration.  

Exclusive Products 

The massive T-shirt cabinet displays and houses the many styles of T-shirts sold in the store

As we start browsing the merchandise offered here, we see yet another marvel: a one-of-a-kind display case that covers 104” x 194” with panels that showcase all the T-shirts in stock. Several of these are designs available only in this store. Included are original patterns by local Oʻahu artists—those who placed highest in several categories of the T-shirt design competition sponsored by the Polynesian Cultural Center in June of 2024. 

Robert Ah Puck’s company will use this machine to print T-shirts designed by guests

The Hukilau Store is also partnering with Robert Ah Puck, owner of the Big Red Store in Hauʻula, who has brought in a digital design machine. Guests can bring in their own digitized drawings, and Robert can transfer them to unique, full-color, durable shirts. 

On the other end of the store, we find polo shirts created especially for The Hukilau Store at Lāʻie Bay by Nike, Ogio, and Travis Matthews. Patterns range from subtle islander images to full-on Aloha designs. These and other offerings will continue to evolve as time passes, ensuring there are always fresh, unique items offered. 

Whether you are in the market for some new Hawaiian clothes, or you just want to step into the history of hukilau, you owe it to yourself to stop by The Hukilau Store at Lāʻie Bay! 

Traditional oars add to the authentic island feel of the store