Aloha San Francisco

Just wanted to give a shout out to the San Francisco Bay area faction of Keolalaulani Halau 'Olapa O Laka. Mahalo for the great picture!

If you're there in San Francisco, visit our friend Leah at Aloha Warehouse.

Hula O Na Keiki

It's been very hectic these past few weeks but we were glad to relax a little at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel and enjoy the Hula O Na Keiki festivities last weekend.

We've been attending every year for about 13 years now and always look forward to coming. We participate in the craft show and also do mini workshops. Here one of our students is finishing up her 'uli'uli.

It's always a fun time to visit with friends. Here, our famous Maui photographer, Randy Braun, gets a special gift from Anthony. Randy photographs the winners (Kaysha Vierra and Kamalei Kawa'a) at dawn on the beach as part of their prize. So lucky!
Anthony Natividad is a truely talented musician (story teller, crafter and gives a great massage!). If you can't tell by this picture, he is playing two nose flutes (differently) at the same time!!

Here Anthony is playing an instrument called the 'ukeke. I was so amazed to see one and to hear it being played. The 'ukeke is the only stringed instrument of Hawaiian origin. It was made with wood (kauila, 'ulei or lama) and the strings, usually three in number, were made with coconut sennit.

I was so fortunate to learn about working with stone from Hoaka Delos Reyes. He has so much knowledge, is so generous, patient and, of course, his work is beautiful!!


His works include pohaku ku'i poi (poi pounders), bowls, adzes and stone art....all done in the traditional way of stone on stone!








Here is the "kukui hele po" that I made. These were used like a "flashlight"....roasted kukui nuts were placed in the hole and lit which produced a light that you could carry around.

Also in the picture are my tools. Now I know about hard stones and soft stones. I also know that working with stone is all about patience and technique.

This is our little cousin TJ who competed in the competition. We're so proud of him. He placed second in both the keiki kane and keiki palua divisions. (I do have to say that he was Master Keiki Hula 2007, competition on Oahu).
Congratulations to TJ and all the keiki that participated this year!
And to na kumu Haunani and Iliahi Paredes!