Blog — lauhala

Sometimes thrift stores call to me... Like $7 good quality jeans for working in the yard. And this $2 Liz Claiborne purse... the "leather" handles are perfect for upcycling on a new lauhala purse.  The original purse had a scuff on the other side, but the handles were just fine. I wasn't going to buy it at first because I thought, "really? When are you making another purse?"  But $2!! So I bought the purse back in February and it sat patiently until "it was time."  Said time came up when EH accidently wrecked one of his favorite aloha shirts at work.  I...

  It was the Inaugural Aloha Shirt Festival in Keauhou. It was not well publicized but it's a learning curve and hopefully the future festivals will have better turn out. I went to check out the Aloha Shirts and ended up talking story and learning a lot (of history and life info) from master carver Nalu Andrade.  Mahalo to Nani Kupihe, Cultural Advisor at Outrigger Kona in Keauhou, who took the group selfie above, left to right, it's Nani; Island of Hawai'i Visitor Bureau Destination Manager Rachel Kaiama; me; Nalu Andrade, owner of Na Maka Kahiko, and Nalu's daughter.   There were displays of...

Please pardon the title... I didn't want my blog mistaken for official Ka Ulu Lauhala O Kona media. I am a member of the club but not an official representative. I'm just writing about my experience. The conference is usually held in May each year, but with the COVID-19 "shut down" opening up with short notice, they decided to hold it in September.  We were at a "new" venue, the Outrigger Keauhou a.k.a. "the Old Kona Surf."  The conference is a gathering of kumu from throughout the State and haumana that have come from not only Hawaiʻi but the continental...

The Mauna Lani re-opened after a big renovation and COVID-19 shut down. This was their first May Day/Lei Day celebration in a couple years. I was the only lauhala weaver that was able to attend this time. In the past I would bring whatever project I was working on and weave and talk story with the other weavers and visitors. I decided to change things ups and take 1/8 inch mauʻu bracelet kits and invite Cara to drive out with me to make bracelets. I forgot to take pictures of our finished lauhala bracelets. We dolled up with pāpale, lei, and vintage...

Wow, this month turned out to be eventful as things opened up from COVID-19 restrictions. Especially with Merrie Monarch and Earth Day. While I still generally wear masks while out in the world, it was strange but nice to see friends' full faces again. First off, the Ka Ulu Lauhala O Kona weaving conference has been scheduled for September and registration packets became available. This year it will be held at the Outrigger in Keauhou a.k.a "the Old Kona Surf."  The hotel is on the verge of a much needed major renovation, but the pool has a slide. This year...