Aloha Week seems to have become a month long Aloha Festival. There were many activities at different locations, but I only made it to two.
Mauna Lani had their Aloha Festival on Thursday, September 28, and we demonstrated our respective lei hulu, ulana lauhala, and cordage work. Kaniela Akaka serenaded us with his acoustic instruments. Beautiful music and pleasant vibes. I always enjoy hanging out with these artists. (Below)
Above, left to right: Me, Emily, Kathy, and Tanya. I wore my "vintage" '90s-ish Princess Kaʻulani Fashions holomuʻu and my fine weave pāpale. Tanya was wearing her ʻānoni Sassy Hat that she made at the last Ka Ulu Lauhala O Kona weaving conference with Kumu Margaret Lovett.
Above: Kaniela playing music for us.
The next day I checked out the 2nd Annual Aloha Shirt Festival at Outrigger Keauhou. Pictured below is part of the vintage Aloha Shirt Exhibit.
There was also a pop-up mākeke. Seemed like twice as many vendors as last year. Discovery Antiques was there again, though I didn't have time to stop and talk story. (Below)
Dezigns by Kamohoaliʻi was there. I had met Micah Kamohoaliʻi the previous weekend when we were seated next to him on a flight to Honolulu. I waited until he had finished all his messaging/emailing and put his phone away before blurting "We enjoyed your TV show!" He was gracious and friendly and we talked story the rest of the flight. I learned so much. It made my day. At the booth he remembered me and was gracious, again, to take a picture. His hālau would be performing that evening at the Vintage Theme Fashion Show. I'm wearing a Bete from DeStash Hawaii.
Below: Diana and I. Diana is my classmate from Konawaena. She had a booth called Kiki & Naia Hawaii and their Instagram. I stopped by to say hi while waiting to go in for the Fashion Show. Her lovely skirt was upcycled from a vintage muʻu. I'm in a vintage Kelii's of Hawaii barkcloth dress and a pāpale I bought from Kimura's Lauhala Shop over 20 years ago.
Above: Lori, Cara, Raynette, and I sitting first row at the Fashion Show. Cara was wearing her new Sassy Hat, that she won from (my first ever) "Instagram Auction" - 100% proceeds were donated to Maui Humane Society, and Raynette in her Lovers Knots from Kona Weavers Hui. This was my first experience attending a fashion show. While it didn't have as much vintage muʻu as I would've liked, it was still an enjoyable experience spending time with friends.