• Dressing for a Holokū Ball

    Aunty Maile Schuwer at the Holukū Ball, December 2012. photo by Renée Robinson

    By Leilehua Yuen The first three rules my Nana, my paternal grandmother, drummed into my head about looking good in a holokū were: Posture Posture Posture They are still valuable rules today. Perfect posture and a sense of panache enable…

  • The Holokū

    Princess Ka‘iulani standing on top of steps on the porch of her house at ‘Āinahau; wearing the holokū and lei, 1898. public domain photo by Frank Davey

    By Leilehua Yuen I remember as a girl longing for the day I would be deemed “a young lady,” mature enough to be allowed the privilege of wearing high heels, makeup, and that most elegant dress, the holokū. In our…