Not lauhala related, but I did wear my pāpale: Back in February Nani and I flew to Oʻahu to attend the Daughters of Hawaii annual business meeting and run an errand for work. Straight from the airport we had lunch with Daughters Regent Manu, Kehau, and Manu's daughter at Fook Lam Restaurant in China Town... Amazing dim sum and my first time experience with the push carts with steam baskets. IFYKYK.
Sort of galavanting before the meeting: Nani took care of business at the polynesian craft supply, I went next door to Nakeʻu Awai Designs. I just happened to be wearing my Nakeʻu Awai at Nakeʻu Awai. Not planned, happy accident. Keane, Nakeʻu Awai's nephew, chuckled as he let me in their shop.
I had to take a pic of the adorable Bear. Keane was very welcoming, despite me interrupting Uncle's lunch, showing me a fabric option for a possible custom order. I ended up finding a white Bete at DeStash Hawaii though.
Because of course we had to stop and shop at DeStash Hawaii! Aunty Lei is lovely. She is always curating quality and reasonably priced vintage muʻu and aloha wear. The selections are always changing so it's always fun to see what's available. And I am always learning new things about muʻumuʻu and textiles when I'm there. You can check out DeStash Hawaii's Instagram here.
At the beginning of March I had lunch at Māʻona Community Garden and got to talk story with raufara weavers from Fiji. They had been making ʻohe kāpala (bamboo stamps) that morning.
St. Patrick's Day was spent at a sail panel workshop for Mauloa's new sail. The pictures above were taken at the workshop. Hand carved using handcrafted tools in 1993, Mauloa was the first traditionally built canoe in Hawaiʻi in over 200 years. Below is a picture of her back in the day with her original sail.
There was a film crew to document the process.
Above is the start of my panel. The white guide under it helps keep the edges straight.
The next day I, and many other weavers, bid farewell to beloved Master Weaver Alice Kawamoto. She was a founding member of Ka Ulu Lauhala O Kona and served on their Board for many many years. Alice had such a kind and easy going demeanor. Weaving conferences won't be the same without her.
The day after that was weaving and lei hulu at the Eva Parker Woods Cottage.
Ann and I sporting our pāpale and lei hulu, getting ready to ride back to the parking lot.
I finished my sail panel on March 27. The dimensions are one foot wide, four feet long on the shorter edge, and five feet long on the longer edge. It seemed simple in theory, but it was challenging to keep straight edges and rows. Overall very humbling, but I'm so grateful that I am able to contribute to Mauloa's restoration.