Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 9, 1 September 1985 — Weaving a Hala [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Weaving a Hala

An elegant banquet was a fitting close to the conference with members of John Kaimikaua's halau performing stunning hula kahiko. In a more contemporary vein, Iwalani s

Tapestrv at "Hands on Museum'!

By Jalna Keala Government Affairs Officer More than 100 persons participated in the second statewide conference on hala Aug. 23-24 at the Turtle Bay Hilton Hotel and they provided a novel approach to the exhibition of the old Hawaiian craft mueh to the delight of throngs of visitors and participants alike. Theme of the 1985 conference was "Culture Revisited: A Hands on Museum." The affair was sponsored by 'Aha Puhala ine., a non profit organization for educational pur poses dedicated to the creation and promotion of interest in the art and craft of the Hawaiian puhala (pandanus). Four showcases featured artisans from throughout the state demonstrating the use and versatility of hala in producing all shapes and sizes of hats, mats, bags, fans, bracelets, baskets, rosettes and other aspects of hala preparation and mending. Sitting at the feet of the experts were scattered groups of novices intent upon following directions while trying a hand at weaving various items. Hala lei-making was also demon strated, using several colors of hala fruit in combination with laua'e fern. The atmosphere was pleasantly industrious and cooperative during the on-going instruction periods with unqualified aloha prevailing. Music was in the air from the conference start to finish with spontaneous hulas offered whenever the spirit was moved to dance. Some highlights of this infectious mood: Kumu Hula Elaine Kaopuiki of Lanai doing Waipio; Aunty Elizabeth Ellis, a beautiful and gracious 81 years young, doing a naughty Papalina Lahilahi ; and a full line of dancers of several schools and ages doing Hanalei Moon. A Friday night treat was the after dinner musical revue and mini fashion show by Nakeu Awai and Friends with Mahi Beamer at the grand piano. Bright and early Saturday moming, Lani of Hawaii was at the grand piano playing and singing music from Vienna, Broadway and Hawaii. Specially selected vendors and some of the artisans sold appropriate articles during the duration of the conference and truly unique handwork was quickly purchased. Part of the charm of the conference was the opportunity to sit and talk quietly with the kupuna as their hands never stopped working the leaves. As new 'Aha Puhala president Charles Gumapac of the Big lsland said: "Without the hala sails, canoes would never have reached Hawaii — that is the importance of hala."

SchooI of Dance performed international dances. lmmediate past president of the organization is Esther Kakalia Westmoreland. General chairman of the conference was Agnes Cope of the Waianae Coast Culture and Arts Society and co-chairmen handling logistical duties were Office of Hawaiian Affairs Kupuna Coordinator Betty Jenkins

and Pua'ala McElhaney. The conference ended at the banquet with Hawaii Aloha being sung from a concentric circle followed by warm expres-

sions of farewell until next year. There was no indication where the 1986 conference would be held but Kona, Kauai md Maui were being mentioned. Also assisting in a very important way with logistics were some OHA staff members, including Sam Holt, Andrew Enos, Robert Freitas and Nadine Malilay.

Kupuna Katherine Maunakea of Waianae with her hala preparation equipment.

Kupuna Bessie Astronomo of Oahu plying her skill. MĒ^^^ĒĒKĒĒ^^^^^^ĒIĒĒĒĒĒĒĒKKĒĒ