FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Waiākea brings artist Aaron Kai Home to the Islands to celebrate special collab with Bay Area streetwear brand Collect and Select
HILO, HI — [March 25, 2024] — Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages is excited to announce an exclusive event series flowing art, fashion, and sustainability together featuring acclaimed local artist, Hilo native, and brand ambassador Aaron Kai, alongside the Bay Area streetwear brand Collect and Select.
This two-part event series features a Pau Hana with Aaron Kai on O‘ahu and Pulehu Pa‘ina in Waiākea and Kai’s hometown on the Big Island. Attendees of each event will have the opportunity to meet Kai, see his artwork, and shop some of his newest, never before released merchandise, including the debut drop of a limited edition pair of Collect and Select x Waiākea shorts designed by Kai.
"We are stoked to continue our partnership with Aaron Kai and bring him back home to the islands for this exclusive drop." said Jason Walter, Director of Partnerships & Publicity at Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages. “Throughout history, the unique fusion of art and fashion have brought people together, and we’re excited to collaborate with Aaron x Collect and Select to curate such an experience for the local community."
In addition to the artistic and fashion elements highlighting these events, guests will have the opportunity to learn more about Waiākea's commitment to mālama i ka ‘aina and support those in need through its Kōkua Initiative locally here in Hawai'i, across the continental US, and throughout the world. Over the course of its journey, Waiākea has impacted over one million lives through its partnership with Pump Aid to provide clean water in Malawi, Africa, and the efforts of Kōkua to provide food, books, clothing, essential items and more.
Over the years, Kai has partnered with Waiākea to design unique merchandise from tees and polos with proceeds providing art kits to local keiki through Kōkua and to donate water to Hilo Union School, which Kai attended. This past year, they teamed up to offer a collab painting opportunity to keiki at Duke’s OceanFest.
The Pau Hana with Aaron Kai takes place on March 29th at Pitch Sports Bar at SALT in Our Kaka‘ako (4:00pm - 7:00pm) at 685 Auahi Street, Suite 216 & 217. The Pulehu Pa‘ina BBQ Pop-Up with Aaron Kai follows on the next day at Waiākea’s Holomua Warehouse, located at 14 Holomua Street in Hilo, on March 30th (3:00pm - 6:00pm).
####
Media Inquiries:
Jason Walter, jason@waiakea.com, 808-728-4693
ABOUT WAIĀKEA
Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages was founded in Hilo, Hawai‘i in 2012, with the stated mission is to provide naturally healthy Hawaiian coffee and water with the blessing of kupuna and konohiki, while contributing to and promoting clean water access, conservation, and education for those in need in Hawai’i and throughout the world. All Waiākea products are sustainably sourced and come in the most eco-friendly packaging available according to peer-reviewed research. Waiākea was the first in the U.S. and all of North America to use 100% post-consumer recycled packaging in 2012, and continues to be the enviro-tech leader of its category for this, its sustainable sourcing, its role as a catalyst in the circular bottle to bottle economy, and more. Its award-winning taste is derived from its filtration through 14,000 feet of volcanic rock that make it naturally alkaline as well as mineral and electrolyte rich. Through its Kōkua initiative, Waiākea works to empower the people of Hawai'i through a 3 piko approach that encourages educational opportunities, 'āina-based conservation & sustainability, and support for the most vulnerable in our community. For every case of water purchased, Waiakea donates up to one month of clean water to disadvantaged communities in rural Africa through Pump Aid.
Waiākea is sold at over 55,000 stores across the nation, including Whole Foods, 7-Eleven, Walmart and more.
For more information, please visit the Waiākea Website at https://waiakea.com and follow along on Instagram @Waiākea.
ABOUT AARON KAI
Aaron Kai is a renowned artist known for his colorful and dynamic wave-inspired artwork. With roots in Hawai'i, Aaron's work reflects his deep connection to the ocean and the natural beauty of the islands. As a brand ambassador for Waiākea, Aaron shares the company's commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation.
ABOUT COLLECT AND SELECT
Collect & Select is a Bay Area based streetwear brand driven by a passion for the game of basketball, athletic expression, and sports culture. What started as a passion project in high school for founder Christian Martin steadily evolved into a multi talented team committed to crafting vintage-inspired clothing adorned with modern streetwear aesthetics fit for everyday wear. In 2020, C&S grew in popularity with the release of their swingman shorts, which donned various designs Martin created with inspiration from retro NBA color-ways, silhouettes & patterns, quickly evoking a sense of nostalgia for their growing client base. In other variations of the highly celebrated swingman short, C&S has featured collaborations with artists including Hilo’s very own Aaron Kai, professional athletes and other brands to further create and expand their identity as a prominent up-and-comer in both the sports and fashion industries.