At Chital, we are driven by the concept of furtherance—the idea that our work should not only sustain but actively restore, heal, and provide. We are creating the most Impactful Leather™, transforming an ecological challenge into a material with meaning, and crafting exquisite essentials that carry forward a collective effort toward balance.
Beyond sustainability, toward true reciprocity. Every CHITAL piece represents a shift—from extraction to restoration, from fleeting trends to lasting impact. By working with ethically harvested Hawaiian Axis deer, we turn an environmental challenge into a force for resilience, crafting leather that is as intentional as it is beautiful.
Every journey has its watershed moment—that point where streams of experience converge into something new. After years of innovating for Nike athletes, creating products that captured global attention in fleeting bursts, I felt the pull of a different current.
Here, in Maui’s upcountry, where the land tells stories of balance, adaptation, and deep connection, I found a path toward impact that runs deeper than momentary hype. It is a path shaped by craft, responsibility, and the belief that what we make should not only be beautiful—but meaningful.
We invite you to be part of this story. Whether you’re a maker, a designer, or simply someone who values the connection between material and mission, we’d love to hear from you.
Drop us a line, and let’s talk.
‘O wai ‘oe?
Who are you? What water are you connected to?
This question, from Kuʻulani Muise’s powerful reflection, speaks to the deep relationship between identity and water. In Hawaiian, the word for freshwater—“wai”—can also mean “who.” It reminds us that water shapes us, nourishes us, and connects us to both place and lineage.
“What water do you return to in recollection or reality? Is it a rushing run of a river or a memory of morning groundmist? A still-poured lake, perhaps? A torrent, a tidewater or simply the faithful gushing of the kitchen tap? I suspect you can recall one form or another, or most likely many, and now, your waters fresh in mind, what might be gleaned from these connections?
If we are connected enough to know by name the waters that nourish us, how might we nourish them in return?”
These words resonate deeply with our vision. At Chital, we believe in honoring the intricate connections between people and place—between land, water, and the materials we craft. Like water shaping the earth, we recognize that our actions leave an imprint. Our work is guided by a commitment to reciprocity: to create with purpose, to restore balance, and to ensure that what nourishes us today continues to sustain generations to come.
Like water carving its path through volcanic stone, language carries meaning across time and distance, connecting cultures and landscapes. Chital (चितल) traces its roots to Sanskrit, where it means “spotted” or “variegated”—a name given to the swift, graceful deer adorned with white-flecked coats, reminiscent of stars scattered across the night sky.
In Indian mythology, these deer move between worlds, symbols of beauty, agility, and adaptability. Today, their descendants roam Maui, becoming part of a new story—one of balance, responsibility, and the deep, intertwined relationship between land and sea. Through Chital, we honor both their past and their evolving role in restoring harmony to the island.
Restoring balance to Maui’s delicate ecosystems by helping to manage the exponential growth of Axis deer - a highly invasive species that threatens critical watersheds and native biodiversity. Through sustainable and stress-free wild harvesting, unlike anything else in the world, Maui Nui transforms this overabundant species into a nutrient-dense, delicious food source that nourishes communities.
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Leather That Tells a Story
A touch that feels otherworldly. A connection that is deeply grounded. This is leather with a purpose—carrying forward the mission to heal the land, restore balance, and nourish communities. More than sustainable, it’s Impactful Leather™—a material with meaning.
Sourced exclusively from Hawaiian Axis deer, each hide comes from a 100% stress-free, wild harvest, a process pioneered by Maui Nui Venison to ethically manage deer populations and regenerate Maui’s ecosystems. This isn’t just leather—it’s a commitment to balance, resilience, and responsible stewardship.
Crafted for the Senses
Unlike traditional vegetable-tanned leather, which is often stiff and rigid, our leather harnesses timeless tanning techniques combined with the unique properties of Axis deer to create a material that is remarkably supple, irresistibly smooth, and only grows more beautiful with age.
Full-grain. Full-aniline. Fully alive.
Every piece reveals the raw, untamed beauty of nature—its grain unhidden, its story unfiltered. As it wears, it patinas, deepening in richness and character, a testament to the journey it takes with you.
This is leather redefined—a connection to the land, a touch of the wild, a legacy in the making.
We believe leather should be more than just a material—it should carry meaning, tell a story, and contribute to something greater. Impactful Leather™ is sourced with purpose, crafted with care, and designed to connect people, land, and craft in a way that restores balance.
We love collaborating with craftspeople, artists, leather makers, designers, and makers of all types who share our vision for thoughtful, responsible craftsmanship. Whether you’re working on a small-batch collection, a custom design, or something entirely new, we’d love to explore the possibilities with you.
Leather availability:
• Whole hides, approximately 5–7 sq ft
• Thickness range: 0.8–1.4mm
Let’s create something meaningful together. Drop us a line and let’s talk about your project.
We'd love to share new projects, product drops, and Maui stories when they become available. Don't worry, we are minimalist...we will only send the coolest updates.