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Wet summers and winters are better than drought. It's actually how it used to be before the vog changed our weather patterns.  However, it's disheartening when I have to throw away 90% or more of the lauhala I gathered due to mildew.  I usually compost all the "less than perfect" lau.  This time I sorted and kept the decent looking ones that I would usually compost. They're still good for weaving but not nice enough to make sellable papale. In the picture below one can see 1) dirt marks that will wipe off and 2) mildew dots that won't. From...

The Sassy Hat is an original style created by my kumu, Margaret Lovett, on Kaua’i. It’s a wonderful style, dressy, and yet perfect for bad hair days. As for the makaloa… Lots of lessons learned! First off, make sure your makaloa is completely dry before weaving. I did a LOT of splicing and covering of the broken pieces. Not fun. The papale still turned out pretty cute. I heard someone in Kona is wanting to hold a “Makaloa Festival.” So if they do, I’ll be prepared with something to wear.

Classic Pillbox Simplicity is elegant. As much as we try, sometimes papale turn out boring. Side view of Pillbox Top view of Lauhala Stewardess Hat While it is not good for the koana to be blocked and reblocked repeatedly, sometimes it’s worth changing up the first try. I liked how the Pillbox turned out originally, but as time went by it started to seem boring. Don’t get me wrong, I’m generally not “EXTRA.” I love classic lines. But this papale was plain. So I built up the nerve and attempted re-blocking it into a Stewardess Hat. It looked better, but...

Lauhala hats are a relatively small niche interest… in Hawai’i nei they seemed to have become a sort of status symbol. I imagine the price for a unique handmade 100% made in Hawai’i creation seems exorbitant to those who aren’t familiar with the art form. People don’t realize how much time and energy actually goes into papale ulana.  The “weaving” is the fun part… what most people don’t know is how much effort is needed in finding, gathering, cleaning, and preparing the lau for weaving.  Not to mention the hazards of centipedes bites and cuts from thorns.  Please check out...