Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 10, 1 October 1986 — Culture Reawakened at Lauhala Conference [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Culture Reawakened at Lauhala Conference

The 1986 'Aha Puhala Ine. lauhala conference Aug. 22-23 at the Turtle Bay Hilton Hotel in Kuilima carried the theme of "Ho'ala Hou— A Culture Reawakened." And so it was that a culture was indeed reawakened with the attendance of thē largest number of participants eager to leam lauhala weaving from 13 artisans on hand during the afternoon and evening of opening day and throughout Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.

Interest and enthusiasm ran high among the more than 200 who actually participated in the hands on experience. They worked on various interests ranging from eoin purses, fans and wrist bands to small and large baskets and plaee mats. There were also more vendors plying their trade this time around and more people, a Iarge number of them hotel guests, mingled among the home folks asking questions, observing and purchasing. Down home entertainment, some with a country and western twist; a ukulele extravaganza by Louise Kong and her Waianae Coast Culture and Art Society ine. group; Hawaiian music by B.J. Fuller and Hoaloha; Ahina Kalili's Haleiwa Sons; Joyce Kauwalu's Kilohana; and a banquet performance by Kumu Hula Alieia Smith and her Halau O Na Maoli Pua, livened the two-day proceedings.

Banquet goers were given an added treat when Loyal Garner joined sister Alieia on stage, providing music on the keyboard and singing several songs. It was certainly a fitting ciimax to a well-organized conference coordinated by Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins, vice president, and other officers of 'Aha Puhalu — Charles Gumapac, president; Ka'iwa Meyer, vice president; Pua'ala McElhaney, treasurer; and directors Agnes K. Cope, Oahu; Ruby McDonald, West Hawaii; Kau'i Billups, East Hawaii; and Carol Ah Toong, Lana'i. Nani Niderost and her Na Kupuna O Ko'olau, winners of the Kalaliaua Kupuna Hula Festival at Keauhou, Kona, and Ka Leo O Ko'olau added more spice to a simple but very entertaining program. Members of the two groups are all kupuna. Nake'u Awai and Friends also entertained both nights with some of his fashions wrapped around a delightful skit.

Ka Wai Ola O OHA asked a vendor and a participant what they thought about this year's conference. The vendor, who said 1985 was his first year, noted that the 1986 conference was better than last year. It was bigger, more organized and there were more craftsmen and participants. He noted, too, that more hotelguests took in the hands on experience and stopped to talk and buy. Thia West of the Hawaii Counseling and Education Center said she felt very privileged to leam from someone who's been in the culture a long time. She worked on a small bag Friday and finished it that night. She tackled a big bag the next day. "It is so important to leam the culture. Here was someone passing down the culture even though I am not Hawaiian. It is also beautiful listening to the kupuna talk story. You don't get this anywehre else," she further observed.

The opening ceremonies included a chant by Kawai Aona-Ueoka from the front or main lobby of the hotel to the Kahuku rooms where all the action took plaee. There were no announcements where next year's conference will be held. However, it was announced that mini conferences are scheduled for Molokai and Lanai sometime before the next big conference. Kumu a'o lauhala serving as artisans were Emmaline Agpalo, Wailuku; Bessie Astronomo, Nanakuli; Mrs. eope, Nanakuli; Peggy Fajardo, Mililani; Jane Goo, Anahola; Minnie Kaawaloa, Kalapana; Vivian Kamahele, Waialua; Kaimi Kealoha, Haleiwa; Louise Kekahuna, Hoolehua; Rebecca Mahoe Benanua, Lanai;

Mary Martin, Hauula; Katherine Maunakea, Nanakuli; and Emmaline Unga, Laie. Registration was handled by Office of Hawaiian Af-

fairs staff member Lisa Uneiano and 'Aha Puhala officers and directors. Uneiano and Calvin Eaton, another OHA staff member, also took care of logistics.

Thia West gets tips on weaving a basket from £U"tisan and kupuna Minnie Kaawaloa of Puna, Hawaii.

Artisan Emmaline Agpalo from Wailuku, Maui, shows these participants how to make a purse.

Louise Kekahuna, artisan from Hoolehua, Molokai, and participant Janet Loo of Honolulu.

Vendor Biddle Moniz, standing in background, explains wiliwili leis to visitors.

Artisan Jane Goo of Anahola, Kauai, lying on floor, teaches participant Edna Baker how to make a lauhala cushion.

Artisan Emmaline Unga of Laie and these participants are engrossed in their session.

Carol Ah Toong of Lanai gets some pointers from artisan Kaimi Kealoha of Haleiwa.

Rebecca Mahoe Benanua, artisan and kupunafrom Lanai, teaches Dorothy Park Kataoka from the Big Island.