Some people carry a place with them wherever they go—in the way they move, the way they speak, the way they make others feel. Misty Ma'a is one of those people.
A mother, educator, and devoted steward of Hawaiian language and culture, Misty has been part of the HIE ‘ohana from the very beginning, as one of our original muses. Her presence graces our campaigns and reminds us of the kind of woman this brand was made for. Not just beautiful to look at, but beautiful in her values, her warmth, and her intention.
In this conversation, Misty shares what it means to wear a Hawaiian bracelet, who inspires her, and more.
Q&A with Misty Ma‘a
What is your earliest memory of the Hawaiian bracelet?
I think I remember the jingling. Like I remember my tutu coming and I hear Hawaiian bracelets before I see them. And I now have my own jingle, so I'm really excited to have my own jingle. I'm like, “I'm coming!”
Can you tell us about your personal bracelets?
Meleana was my first bracelet and I put Ma‘a, my family name, because that is to me more important than my name. It's just where I come from and I plan to pass one down to each of my daughters.
Who inspires you?
I try to get inspired from everyone. Sounds kind of crazy, but I think we can learn from everyone. So when I'm in the day, I try to be actively learning and perceiving things, but women who stand out to me usually have this kind of alchemy about them that is unshakable, and I think I find that my grandmother comes to mind, my auntie Lei comes to mind…I just I think it's really admirable to be gracious above all things.
What is your life motto?
I don't know if I have a life motto, but I do believe the more flexible and adaptable you can be the easier time you'll have in life.
I think of coconut trees kind of swaying and never snapping and always just kind of being nalu, and just cruising with life. And I think that's a special part of Hawai‘i as well—just learning from our surroundings and what we're around. And every time I see niu, I think about that kind of just billowing and being present but not being shaken.
What does the Hawaiian bracelet mean to you?
The Hawaiian bracelet means culture, it means home, and it means family to me.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I feel proud to be from Hawai‘i and to be part of women from Hawai‘i. I feel like they're grounded and they're intentional…and they're strong. When I'm home and I look around, I'm like, women from Hawai‘i are strong.
