Sun protection often requires more than merely wearing (and reapplying) sunscreen. Hats may make your head feel a little sweatier in the short term, but are ultimately essential protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
Instead of just buying any old ballcap, why not put your dollars to work and support conservation? I’m a fan of Laulima, a company founded by a conservation biologist and artist. The organization fosters advocacy for native Hawaiian flora and fauna, and all purchases of their products support conservation efforts throughout Hawaiʻi—from endangered species protection and ecosystem restoration.
The Monk Seat Hat is made from soft and sturdy nylon fabric with an adjustable snapback for a just-right fit. Wear it on land or on the water, and it’ll keep your head and face shaded from the sun. Once it becomes wet, it dries quite quickly. It’s the perfect hat to cover all your excursions on a trip, whether that’s just hanging out in town, chilling on the beach, or hitting the trail.
The Hawaiian monk seal (ʻīlio holo i ka uaua) is Hawaiʻi’s only native seal, and one of the most endangered seals in the world. They’re threatened by entanglement, food limitation, habitat loss, human disturbance, and introduced diseases. Conservation efforts to help the monk seal include habitat protection, public outreach, rehabilitation, and veterinary care.
You may have visited Hawaiʻi and noticed protection boundaries on a beach where monk seals rest, or even come upon one hauled out on a beach. When you do encounter a monk seal, keep your distance and let them have the space they need to rest. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests the “rule of thumb”—make a thumbs-up gesture and extend your arm out straight in front of you, with your thumb parallel to the ground. If your thumb covers the entire seal, you’re far enough away.
The Monk Seal Hat comes in one color (turquoise) and lists for $36 on the Laulima site.