Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 4, 1 April 2005 — Haku hulu honored [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Haku hulu honored

At a banquet on April 15, Hawaiian featherwork (haku hulu) master artists Mary Louise Kaleonahenahe Kekuewa and Paulette Nohealani Kahalepuna

will be honored with the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce's prestigious 'Ō'ō Award, whieh recognizes outstanding Hawaiian businesspeople and professionals. "We were so overwhelmed that we were selected for the award that we're doing centerpieces for the 28 corporate tables," said Kahalepuna recently at the family's featherwork shop on Kapahulu Avenue. The centerpieces - all unique, beautiful works of

art - are kāhili lele, or hand-car-ried royal feather standards that will be propped up on wooden stands. "We chose earth tones to complement event backdrops created by (Hawaiian artist) Carl Pao titled Wao Kanaka (the forest)," said Kahalepuna as she wound a bunch of rooster hackles onto the kāhili. It may seem unusual for the honorees to be creating centerpieces for

their own dinner, but over the years, these artists/business owners have generously shared their talents with many. The family feather business, Nā Lima Mili Hulu No'eau (skilled hands touch the feathers), was first started back in the 1970s and has been located in Kapahulu for the last 14 years. "Our name was a gift from Aunty Edith Kanaka'ole," said "Aunty Mary Lou" as she adjusted the trademark feather comb in her hair. Kekuewa and her daughter, Paulette, have created the lei hulu (feather lei) that are the symbols of office for OHA trustees, and they also taught haku hulu at Bishop Museum for many years. Also being honored with an 'Ō'ō Award this year is Thomas Kaulukui Jr. , ehainnan of the Queen Lili'uokalani Trust, Hawaiian cultural practitioner/ advisor, and retired state Supreme Court justice. The 2005 'Ō'ō Awards banquet will be held Fri., April 15 at the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Resort and Spa. 5 p.m.: silent auelion; 7 p.m.: dinner; 8 p.m.: awards program. Tickets are $85 per person. Tables of 10 and corporate tables available. Call 531-3744 or visit online at nativehawaiian.ee.

Master featherworkers Mary Louise Kaleonahenahe Kekuewa and Paulette Nohealani Kahalepuna I are being honored with an award i from the Native Hawaiian Chamber , Of Commerce. Photo: Sterling Kini Wong