Native Hawaiian designer will represent Big Island at international fashion show in Australia

Hannah Preston-Pita, a Native Hawaiian designer, clinical psychologist and community leader, will represent Hawaiʻi later this month at an international runway show in Australia.

Pacific Runway 2026, held Nov. 28 in Sydney, will feature contemporary fashions through a “Pasifica cultural lens.”

Preston-Pita joins other Pacific designers and artists in a celebration of Pacific fashion, culture and creativity.

“This opportunity allows me to carry Hawaiʻi Island, my community and my culture onto an international stage,” Preston-Pita said in a news release. “Every design tells a story of identity, resilience, healing, and the legacy we leave for the next generation.”

The Hilo-based designer will present her Hoʻoilina Designs collection of streetware, a brand rooted in Hawaiian identity, healing, cultural expression and legacy. The men and women’s collection combines bold colors, contemporary silhouettes, Native Hawaiian words and original floral artwork inspired by Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty.

Hoʻoilina means “legacy” or “inheritance.”

The brand grew from Preston-Pita’s belief that creativity can be a powerful pathway toward healing, empowerment and reclaiming one’s voice. She has found fashion to be her own therapy and has been able to heal through creativity, Big Island Now previously reported.

In addition to her work as a designer, Preston-Pita has nearly 20 years of experience in behavioral health, addiction treatment and community service.

She is chief executive officer of Big Island Substance Abuse Council and the founder of Hānau Hou Arts & Fashion, an annual show featuring local artists, designers, models and people in recovery. She also founded Kalakoa Products Creative Wellness, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening healing and well-being through art, fashion and cultural expression.