Reconciling hyperconsumerism and sustainability in the island ecosystem: A photo essay of men’s street fashion in Honolulu

This visual study explores men’s street fashions in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Due to their geographical remoteness, ethnically diverse population, and attractiveness as tourist destination, the Hawaiian Islands attract a variety of styles. I analyse men’s street wear through the theoretical lenses of hypermodernity and hyperconsumerism, which are characterized by the dissonance between the pleasures of fashion consumption and the associated environmental and social problems. Island ecosystems with dense boundaries between urban areas and the natural environment heighten awareness for sustainability. Detailed discussions of each outfit articulate my observations: men’s street fashions incorporate subtle references to current environmental and social issues to attenuate hyperconsumerist contradictions.