Blog — Ulana lauhala

  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...

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...

So... I wanted to make at least one more hīnaʻi lauhala for donation at the Hawaiian Church of Hawaiʻi Nei workshop to make kaula and hīnaʻi lauhala to help with the re-interment of Iwi Kupuna. I hoped to get three done but ended up with two. The one pictured above was made with 1 inch koana 12x12 mauʻu. The other one, that I forgot to take a picture of, was 10x10 mauʻu. I delivered them to the workshop at Huliheʻe Palace today. That's not the strange thing afoot though... I was recently surprised and "volun-told" for pāʻū committee involvement at the next Kona Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade. I had always thought my...

The Hawaiian Church of Hawaiʻi Nei is putting on more workshops to help with the care of Iwi Kupuna. My cousin had sent me info for when they were doing workshops in Hilo back in September 2021. I wasn't able to go. Instead, I sent him one which he took to Maui. I probably won't be able to attend this one coming up at Huliheʻe Palace in March either, but will try to make at least one hīnaʻi lauhala for donation. While one won't be able to keep the finished product(s), this is still a great opportunity to learn the skills and enjoy...