When I first started KAMEA, sustainability wasn’t at the forefront of my mind. Like many small businesses, I believed our impact was minimal. In 2021, after watching The True Cost, my perspective shifted and I realized the importance of being more intentional about how and what we create.

Looking back, our approach had always aligned with slow fashion. We produce in small, thoughtful releases and often work through custom orders, allowing us to control production, reduce waste, and use as much of our fabric as possible.

Since then, we’ve taken further steps by sourcing more eco-friendly fabrics and transitioning to digitally printed designs. For us, sustainable slow fashion means being mindful—creating with care, reducing waste, and honoring the natural resources God has entrusted to us.

How do we practice Sustainable Slow Fashion here at Kamea?

1.    Utilize Eco-Friendly Fabric: Tencel

2.    We digitally print our fabric designs which involves very low power and water consumption compared to hand dying/screen printing. 

3.    We do our best to create “timeless pieces,” that can be used every day whether you're at work, an event, a night out or simply going to the store. 

4.    Most of our Garments are made to order here in Hawaii. We recently explored having certain items made for us by a manufacturer. This is a brand-new venture for us as a business. 

5.    When finding the right manufacturer, it was important for us to build a relationship with them. I know what goes into making clothing from start to finish and I value the hands that make the products and want to assure that they are treated fairly and that they are valued. 

6.    The Scrap Fabrics that we have are reused to create accessories, household items, and our favorite patch blankets. 

7.    Our Shipping practices consist of recyclable/biodegradable mailers. We currently package our garments in plastic envelopes. This is to ensure that it stays protected during shipment. We are exploring other options of packaging products to lessen the amount of waste.