Taʻape were originally introduced to the Hawaiian shores of O‘ahu from the South Pacific in the 1950s ​​as part of an effort to bolster local fisheries. However, they became an overabundant species that have been overpowering Hawaiian waters for decades, quickly diminishing the natural reef habitat.

Schooling in hundreds and thousands, taʻape are voracious carnivores, competing with native species for food and habitat, even pushing native fish from their home waters and taking over local fishing spot populations. 

We’ve teamed up with Conservation International, a leading environmental non-profit that has worked to conserve nature for people for more than three decades. This collaboration builds on Conservation International's long-standing partnership with Moloka‘i communities and fishermen to catch and repurpose taʻape into leather.

At P448, we pride ourselves on working with communities and tapping into their local experts. Especially on Moloka‘i, an island with deep-rooted values in taking care of your neighbor and maintaining the island, we knew there were more ways to use this invasive species.

With the help of Conservation International and Moloka‘i fishermen, we sourced 2,000 taʻape skins from the island of Moloka‘i. Each John Taʻape sneaker created utilizes the leather of one taʻape.

Creating purposeful materials like taʻape leather not only looks great on sneakers—it works to prevent future aquatic degradation by removing invasive species and supporting local communities. 

After months of research, testing and trial samples, we partnered with Aquaborne, a tannery specializing in eco-friendly aquatic leather manufacturing. With their help and proprietary hybrid tanning method, we significantly reduced the process to just six steps, saving 80% of the water and energy used in a traditional tanning process. 

Not only did Aquaborne help simplify this 7-10 day process, they did so with sustainability top of mind, using only an organic tanning agent. That means our taʻape leather is chrome-free, metal-free, aldehyde-free, glutaralhyde-free and biodegradable.

Our new John Taʻape was created with a planet-forward design from heel to toe, sole to laces. With regenerative taʻape leather, recycled leather, suede, and cotton and our GRS Certified materials, this sneaker is another step forward in our sustainability efforts.

Through our unique fashion and design lens and our partners’ taʻape expertise, we can help support thriving reefs and communities, one pair of John Taʻape’s at a time.


• NEW Taʻape Leather Trims
• Evolo Recycled Suede
• ByPell Recycled Leather
• Recycled Insole
• GRS Certified Bottom
• Bio-based synthetic lining
• 100% Recycled Organic Cotton Laces

Uncle Mac Poepoe
Fisherman and Community Leader

Kohl Naehu
Ta‘ape Fisherman and Supplier

Maile Naehu
Hawaiian Cultural Educator

Matt Ramsey
Senior Director of Conservation International Hawai‘i

Jhana Young
Senior Manager of Conservation International Hawai‘i

Hanohano Naehu 
Hawaiian Fishpond Guardian

Nodar Narsavidze
Founder of Aquaborne Aquatic Leather Tannery

Matt Yamashita
Quazifilms