Kaiao Press, an imprint of Native Books, specializes in books about visual arts and culture in Hawai‘i nei, with a particular focus on deepening and widening an understanding of and compassion for the history and contemporary experiences of Kānaka Maoli and na po‘e Hawai‘i.

Originally founded in 1990 by Maile Meyer, Native Books was born out of the Hawaii Leadership Development Program conference at University of Hawai‘i, Hilo. Maile’s intent was simple: to get good books into good hand. Native Books would support titles that covered mai ke kumu a ka welau (everything from base to tip) about Hawaiʻi. The company started out by distributing educational materials about Hawai‘i and the Pacific through community events, mail order, and then through an outlet in Kalihi. Five years later, Native Books combined forces with Hawai‘i-based artists, makers, and cultural practitioners to form Native Books & Beautiful Things, which evolved into the Nā Mea Hawai‘i, which is located in Ward Village (Honolulu) today.