Common Ground | Kuawa & Ki T-Shirt

The first piece in the series, “Kuawa & Kī,” honors the guava and ti plant — two symbols deeply tied to Common Ground’s story. Kuawa, meaning guava, is a nod to our roots as most people know of this place as the historic guava kai plantation. If you look closely, hidden within the coral head design behind the guava artwork lies the subtle outline of Kuawa Road — the quiet road if you follow to the very end, is where you’ll find Common Ground. 

Kī or ti leaf, is woven into so many aspects of what we do here. More than just a staple of Hawai‘i, it’s a symbol of connection and protection; a living thread that ties our campus to community. You’ll find it growing in vibrant colors across our campus and stretching all the way up into the mountains, grounding us in place. We use kī in our lei-making workshops to celebrate connection, and in our cooking, where it wraps our food, and is opened amongst friends at shared meals around the table. If you look closely at the edge of the ti leaf in the design, you’ll notice the iconic ridgeline of the back of Namolokama and Mamalahoa, the majestic mountains that cradle Hanalei Bay and watch over us all.

The “Kuawa & Kī” tee is more than a shirt- it’s a story of connection and reminder of our history.

Crafted from 100% sustainably grown, U.S.-made ring-spun cotton and dyed with OEKO-TEX® certified colors, this heavyweight tee combines durability with softness. Its relaxed fit and garment-dyed finish give it that perfect lived-in feel from the very first wear. Responsibly made and effortlessly comfortable — a timeless staple that feels as good on you as it is for the planet.