AETHER On Location: Kona, Hawaii

At AETHER, our development process goes above and beyond merely designing and prototyping our garments. Each and every item we make is extensively field-tested under real-world conditions. So, ahead of the release of our Spring 2025 Collection, we set our sights on Hawaii, selecting the Big Island as the testing ground and proving ground for this newly-released seasonal collection. With our bags packed, we embarked on a week-long adventure, exploring the tropical island paradise, and putting our SP25 styles to the test in the process.

Day 1

Following a six-hour flight from Los Angeles, we touched down on the Big Island, before then making our way to Kona. Wanting to make the most of our first day on the island, we traveled to the picturesque Kekaha Kai State Beach for a relaxed afternoon of swimming and catching a few waves. After a day in the surf, we took in the picturesque sunset before retiring to our hotel for the night.

Day 2

The next morning, we rose bright and early. After a traditional Hawaiian breakfast of Loco Moco, we then made our way to one of the region’s marinas where we boarded a chartered sailboat. The early afternoon was spent photographing our Spring ’25 Collection on the water, though once we got the shots we needed, the real fun began. This took the form of a few hours of diving and snorkeling, which was then followed by several more hours of deep-sea fishing. We finished out the day lounging topside, before watching the sun set above the waves once again.

Day 3

On our third day on the island, we shifted gears, embarking from the hotel and loading up into a pair of lifted Jeeps for some off-roading. Heeding the recommendations of several locals, we pointed our rigs toward the Pu'u Kalepeamoa 4x4 Loop, making sure to get there early enough in the day before the cloud cover obscures some of the breathtaking views the loop affords. In search of more off-roading thrills and breathtaking views, we next traveled to the Mauna Kea Observatories. Sitting above the clouds at an elevation of 14,000 feet, we explored the 10 independent astronomical observation sites dotting the mountaintop.

Day 4

Wanting to see more of the island, we hopped back in the Jeeps for our fourth day in Hawaii. This time, we opted for a more relaxed — yet no-less-scenic — drive, heading to the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve where we got to check out an active volcano and its sprawling lava fields. Following our time on the trails, we got out to stretch our legs and enjoy some Poke bowls for lunch. After our second day behind-the-wheel, we rounded things out with an obligatory dinner of Hawaiian barbecue.

Day 5

For our next day on the Big Island, we headed north to Kohala in order to set off on a hike to the famous Pololū Valley Lookout point. After swinging by the lava fields along the Kona coast to capture a few more photographs for our Spring 2025 catalog, we then trekked over to Wai'ale Falls, soaking up the natural beauty of the waterfall, and taking advantage of the location’s swimming hole. We opted to complete our day sipping drinks on the beach as the sun set over Kona.

Day 6

On our sixth day on the island paradise we slowed things, shifting gears from adventure and exploration to architecture and design— accepting an invitation from legendary architect and fellow Restless Spirit Craig Steely. The award-winning architect gave us a tour of three of his most lauded homes on the island — the Pāpa’aloa Homestead; the D Fin House; and the Musubi House — and sat down for an interview to candidly discuss the unique nature of his projects, AETHER’s stacked shipping container store in San Francisco, and how his buildings celebrate the land that they’re built on rather than subjugating it.

Day 7

For our final day on the Big Island, we returned to the beach once again for a bit more rest and relaxation in the sun and sand. As a treat to ourselves, we enjoyed a seafood lunch before dropping off the Jeeps and returning to the hotel to pack our bags. After thanking our hosts and giving one final farewell, we headed back to the airport to hop our flight back to Southern California.