LOTA is a design and merchandise brand that funds the mission of the Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF), an ʻāina organization living the legacy and motto of Prince Lot, “ʻonipaʻa,” to be steadfast and persevering. MGF’s mission is to preserve and perpetuate the history, native culture and environment of Hawai’i through education and stewardship of Kamananui Valley and the celebration of the annual Prince Lot Hula Festival. Learn more at www.mgfhawaii.org.
Stand with us, and work to preserve our Hawaiʻi together — ʻOnipaʻa!

Our Work 
Each LOTA shirt you wear, dress you order, or bag you collect is a wearable, usable expression of kuleana. Every dollar spent contributes to the protection of ʻāina (land), moʻomeheu (culture) and the hoʻonaʻauao (education) of future kiaʻi (caretakers) of this precious legacy. Read more about the kuleana of MGF Hawaiʻi by going to www.mgfhawaii.org. 
As Kanaka, we live and practice our culture in our homeland, Kō Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina, and abroad, ka Pāmaumau. We are Kanaka wherever we are and practice our culture as a lāhui across the globe. Each piece we produce at LOTA is as much a hoʻolauleʻa (celebration) as it is a kahea (call) to be ʻonipaʻa (steadfast) in who we are and the kuleana (responsibilities) we carry wherever we live on this island home we call Earth.

By the 1600s and under the rule of High Chief Kākuhihewa, Moanalua was already renowned as a center of hula, ʻoli, and Makahiki games. It was also a recognized sanctuary for traditional religious and cultural practices. Prince Lot upheld these protections and allowed the practice of banned cultural traditions on his lands in Moanalua. By his example, we continue his work and legacy.

Kamananui and Kamanaiki valleys, collectively Moanalua valley, is about 3,700 acres in size, and home to more than 380 kinds of plants, 54% of which are native. It is one of only a very few forest reserves in urban Honolulu. Moanalua valley is also home to Native birds like the ʻamakihi and ʻapapane, both Native honeycreepers and the ʻelapaio, amonarch flycatcher endemic to Oʻahu. Myriad native invertebrates and aquatic species also live in the valley that need protection. As of the latest study in 2022, the valley is home to 46 plants, 1 bird and 3 invertebrates having critical habitat designations. Our work is to protect these precious resources and restore the habitat in which they thrive.
“ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia. No task is too big when done together by all.”
- Pukui #142

The innovation and intelligence of our kūpuna is well known. From voyaging across the Pacific, to the ahupuaʻa system our ancestors were planners, innovators, and no strangers to hard work. MGF started The Prince Lot Hula Festival in 1978 to continue the legacy of perpetuating and protecting Hawaiian traditions like hula & ʻoli  started by Kākuhihewa in the 1600s and perpetuated by Prince Lot who would become the last Kamehameha to rule. The Festival isnʻt the only way we perpetuate Hawaiian culture, but it is the most well known. Dance a little hula, wear a little hula, and support our mission to protect our ancestral knowledge and traditions. Learn more about the Prince Lot Hula Festival at www.mgfhawaii.org Ua lehulehu a manomano ka ʻikena a ka Hawaiʻi. Great and numerous is the knowledge
of the Hawaiians.” - Pukui #2814