Panilolo Hat & Co. is a traveling hat bar experience on O‘ahu that celebrates Hawai‘i's cowboy history. Its name is a fun play on words, combining the Hawaiian words for "crazy" (lolo) and "cowboy" (paniolo). “We are two fun, crazy girls who love to shape hats and make people feel good in their custom hats,” says Kamaile Heide, who, together with her friend Grace Kornegay, founded the company. “We don't actually have rancher experience, but that didn't stop us from falling in love with the Paniolo culture.”  Panilolo Hat & Co. is a passion project by the duo, which they started after a trip to Nashville that inspired them to bring the hat bar concept back to the island. Shortly thereafter, they enrolled in Hat Masters, a course run by a three-generation hat-making family who taught them everything about cowboy hats. A visit to Panilolo Hat & Co. is a personal affair, as each unisex hat is measured to fit your head and adjusted to suit your features. “Most people are getting their first-ever cowboy hat, so they don't really know what they want,” Heide explains. “Oftentimes, women will feel uncomfortable thinking the hat is too big. It is our job to not only make sure it fits your head perfectly, but help [you] feel comfortable and sexy.” Once the shape and brim are perfected, it is time for the decoration. Hat bands range from leather and palaka to feathers and beading. Their signature look is to add anthuriums and flowers, a local twist on a paniolo-style hat. Finally, they add the special touch: branding of numbers, letters, or symbols to make the hat uniquely yours. 

Panilolohatco.com; Follow on Instagram @panilolohatco.