Blog

10 Years of The Keiki Dept

We weren't supposed to make it this far. When I started The Keiki Dept, it was a passion project with an end date built right in — I'd run it until my kids got into Kindergarten, then go back to te...

We're Moving — Here's What That Means for You

This summer, The Keiki Dept is moving to a new warehouse. In-person pickups are paused while we settle in — but online orders are shipping as normal. Here's the quick update so you're not caught of...

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi, and even now as a mom, it still feels special. I grew up practicing for school May Day performances, and now I get to watch my own keiki learn the tradition too—picki...

Did You Know There’s a Native Lauaʻe? Meet Peʻahi

If you’ve ever heard someone say “lauaʻe,” you probably pictured the fern you see all over Hawaiʻi. That common one is usually Australian lauaʻe so it’s easy to assume it’s our native fern. But did...

Native Hawaiian Plant Month (April): How Kalo Brought Our Garden (and Us) Back to Life

April is Native Hawaiian Plant Month, and it’s been making me reflect on the small choices that changed our home—and our relationship with ʻāina. Kalo was flourished our souls, and it made room for...

Signature Kalo: The Print That Started It All

Signature Kalo started in our early design days, after our Shave Ice and Shaka prints—back when we were still figuring out what The Keiki Dept would become. Around the time we went full-time, chose...

Pakalana Strands: A Lei-Inspired Collection for Everyday Celebrations

Pakalana isn’t native to Hawaiʻi, but it’s deeply loved here—especially in lei. Pakalana Strands captures that feeling of celebration in pieces made for real life: soft bamboo clothing, Kapa Moe sw...

What Is Kapa Moe? Our Bamboo Muslin Swaddle Explained

Kapa Moe is our signature bamboo muslin swaddle—soft, breathable, and made to be used way beyond the newborn stage. From swaddling to stroller shade to scarf, tie top, or lap blanket, it’s the one ...

Maile Strands: A Gift You Can Wear

You know that feeling when someone puts a lei over your head—hugs everywhere, proud smiles, and you’re trying not to cry? That’s the heart behind our Maile Strands Collection: pieces made for the b...

Celebrate Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi with Game Night

Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is a reminder that language lives in everyday moments — and in our home, one of the simplest ways we practice is through play. Our memory games feature native Hawaiian plants ...