Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 8, 1 October 1984 — ʻAha Puhala Conference is an Experience with a Lasting Impression [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻAha Puhala Conference is an Experience with a Lasting Impression

By Betty Jenkins OHA Kupuna C.'oordinator

'Aha Puhala Ine. held its third lauhala conference and first statewide gathering Aug. 22-25 at the Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului. More than 70 kupuna, lauhala artisans, participants and visitors were treated to a comprehensive overview of lauhala and things lauhala. The conference included an experience long to be remembered — a field trip to a hala grove in Hana where conferees gathered the leaves of the hala tree in large numbers. There was a pre-conference board meeting the first day with President Esther Kakalia Westmoreland presiding. In attendance were the following directors: Charles Gumapac, Hawaii alternate; Agnes Cope, Oahu; Apoliona Day, Maui; Esther Makuaole, Kauai; Louise Kekahuna, Molokai; and Carol Ah Toong, Lanai alternate. The field trip was held on the 23rd and the conference formally opened the next day with Sam Holt, OHA Human Services Specialist and conference eochairman, presiding over opening ceremonies. The writer, vice president of 'Aha Puhala, was conference co-chairman with Holt and was also in charge of finances. Puaala McElhaney, Kahuku resident and Nanakuli High School reading instructor, handled registration.

Keynote speaker Sam Kaai of Lahaina held his audience captive with his mana'o and enthusiasm, casting a spell of Hawaiian praise over the conferees and sharing his lauhala artifacts with understandable pride. Among those addressing the conferenee and speaking briefly were Clarence Kamai, Mauicommissioner, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; OHA Board Chairman Joseph Kealoha; Suzanne Aki, representing The Kamehameha Schools on Maui; Unele Harry Mitchell of Keanae who spoke in Hawaiian about sharing and caring through the kupuna; and OHA Trustee Thomas K. (Unele Tommy) Kaulukukui. There were many lauhala artisans from throughout the state who displayed their products and gave instructions in how to make the many hundreds of things that ean be made with lauhala. Some of the artisans were Louise Kekahuna, Molokai uala farmerette who unwrapped her long lauhala leaves, set up her display of Hawaiian products and gave instructions in basketry skills. Emmaline Agpalo revealed some of the finest work in baskets and purses. Katherine Maunakea of Nanakuli, a

Bishop Museum lauhala weaver and author of a soon-to-be released book on lauhala preparation and artistry, set up her workshop to teach lauhala preparation. Kupuna Rebecca Mahoe Benanua of Lanai shared her mana'o on the lauhala papale and the Waianae Coast Culture and Arts Society put on a display whieh revealed lauhala products made by beginning, intermediate and experienced weavers. Kauai artisan Esther Makuole started her weavers on the piko of the papale, using the thinnest lauhala strips while demonstrating on wooden blocks. Then there was artisan Apoliona Day who taught conferees how to humuhumu papa lauhala strips to resemble pupu on lauhala strips for hats. The imagination of Kahili Cummings in her lauhala decorations proved to be a popular lauhala experience for young and old alike. Naumaka Puaa, Maui High School teacher and her mother, Elizabeth Sniffen, inspired others with their knowhow, eagerness to learn more and love of the lauhala. They were initially taught by their yabui 'ohana. There was Herman Gomes of Oahu who displayed his unique lauhala stripper. Artisans and participants also exchanged fans, rugs, bracelets, headbands, purses and baskets — all lauhala products. At the conference banquet, OHA's Kealoha was presented a kalo tied with lauhala and Hoaliku Drake, representing DHHL, accepted a lauhala hookupu. Unele Harry delivered his message in song by singing his original composition, "Mele O Kahoolawe," whieh was interpreted in dance by daughter-in-law Keakealani Mitchell. She is a Hawaiian Studies resource teacher with the Maui district Department of Education. She also addressed the group in Hawaiian with greetings from Maui and a weleome to return. Also addressing the group was Maui County Councilman Abraham Aiona. With hands joined and voices blended in rendering "Hawaii Aloha," one could plainly see in the faces of the participants the feelings of joy, pride and aloha. 1 was there to also witness kupuna, lauhala artisans, conference participants and visitors leave with a commitment to return. I was there to hear the goodbyes with promises to gather next year . . . to see the caring tears. I was there and happy I had been part of the experience. Hopefully you'll join me and 'Aha Puhala and be there, too, next year.

Katherine Maunakea prepares lauhala for its final stages. The leaves were gathered earlier in the day from a Hana lauhala grove.

Bea Krauss, retired professor of botany at the University of Hawaii, does her thing in cleaning lauhala on the grounds of the Maui Beach Hotel whieh served as convention headquarters.

"» 'mmm* 'ina nu«ai in Hawaii artisan Minnie Kaawaloa, left, prepares lauhala to be made into rolls. Others involved in cleaning and preparations are Pua'ala McElhaney, Louise Kekahuna and Ida Tom. In the background, from left to right, are Elizabeth Kawahipaula, Genevieve Nahulu and Charles and Pat Morris Gumapac.

Pat Morris Gumapac. Hawaii participant, looks on as, reading from left to right, Louise Kekahuna, Molokai director and artisan, Genevieve Nahulu and Hoaliku Drake, participate in basket weaving.

OH A Kupuna Coordinator and 'Aha Puhala vice president Betty Jenkins checks the situation as Troy Kahalehoe keeps busy weaving Christmas ornament as shown on the display.

Esther Kakalia Westmoreland, president of 'Aha Puhala, addresses kupuna, artisans, participants and guests.

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