Blog

The past three weeks has blown by.  Ka Ulu Lauhala O Kona's annual weaving conference was back to its regular time of the year.  Last year I used lauhala from our yard but learned, with my haumana the hard way, that lau from wet places like Hilo (and Hōnaunau apparently) becomes extremely brittle in dry places like airconditioned rooms.  My plans to use my own thornless lauhala, which I think is very hardy, was thwarted by the wet weather.  The leaves had mildew stains.  No good for pāpale.  Luckily, I acquired kukaʻa of Fiji voivoi (lauhala).  While it was already light...

I (and others who had attended their muʻumuʻu event back in January) received an email invite from Kaʻaiohelo McAfee-Torco, Kaʻūpūlehu Cultural Center Manager, for a May Day Lei Day celebration at the Four Seasons Hualalai.  Their employees had created beautiful lei that were offered for silent auction with the proceeds being donated to Hawaii Island Charity Walk.  I have attended Mauna Lani's May Day festivities through the years, but this was the first time I've experienced it at Kaʻūpūlehu. Raynette was there wearing her beautiful pāpale ʻānoni. That pink ākulikuli lei in the picture was gorgeous and fluorescent in person. There was music and hula,...

It's Merrie Monarch!  Yesterday Cara coordinated a girls' day trip to the Craft Fair.  Among the list of items, pāpale lauhala was on the shopping list. Still smiling after the long ride to Hilo... we found a parking space relatively quickly. Cara found her "pencil roll" and fragrant fresh lei at Ipolani Vaughn's (from Oʻahu) booth. Tickets to the hula competition sell out immediately, so people get creative.  I don't know if this person was successful in their endeavor but points for creativity! I was enthralled with the sensory overload: the scenery, the variety of art and beautiful crafts, the sounds, the...

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...

January is Muʻumuʻu Month.  I don't have enough muʻumuʻu to wear a different one each day like some on social media, but I try to wear one whenever I leave the house.  So when we went to see Hamilton and then Muʻu at the Museum after, I had to doll up in my nicest holomuʻu...  A vintage Mamo Howell. Seeing all the muʻumuʻu, holomuʻu, and holokū was amazing that night at Hānaiakamalama.  I confess, I fangirled-out seeing muʻu fashionistas that I follow on Instagram in person.  The mākeke was relatively small, but the vendors were excellent. The following week, luncheon with muʻumuʻu friends...