The mu‘umu‘u is a piece of traditional Hawaiian clothing dating back to the early 19th century. It's still worn in the Aloha State today, both in casual environments and business settings or for special events. Bete Mu'u of Honolulu is proud to carry on this centuries-old tradition by supplying custom-made mu‘umu‘us that are manufactured in Hawaii. Discover the history of their legacy below.

The History of the Mu‘umu‘u

The mu‘umu‘us's origins can be traced back to the 1820s when Christian missionaries came to the South Pacific. At the time, native women wore very little. They might don a pa‘u, which is similar to a hula skirt or a kihei, a shawl made of bark cloth or similar plant fibers.

To cover the women, the missionaries introduced a two-part outfit consisting of a holuku, a loose floor-length inner dress with a high neck, and a looser outer dress, the mu‘umu‘u. The mu‘umu‘u didn't have the high neck yoke of the holuku. The double-layer outfit was extremely warm for the South Pacific weather, so the native women instead opted to wear the top layer of the ensemble. Thus, the mu‘umu‘u became a standalone outfit.

The Legacy of Bete Mu'u

The mu‘umu‘u is the original inspiration for the Bete Mu'u brand. Betty Manchester founded Bete Inc., to provide traditionally styled Hawaiian dresses to the island's women in 1959. In 1994, Linda and Nola Nahulu took over the company to continue the legacy. The two women have carried forward the business's initial vision, continuing to provide beautifully crafted mu‘umu‘us to residents of Hawaii and beyond.

Today, Bete Mu'u serves clients throughout the islands, Japan, and the U.S. mainland, and the shop remains locally owned and operated. They have over 50 styles to choose from, offering elegant, beautifully crafted clothing. Visit the website to view their styles, or call (808) 591-9449 to place an order.