Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 8, 1 August 2010 — Weaving from the heart [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Weaving from the heart

Aunty Gladys earns national distinction

By Francine Murray KaWai Ola II 1 A # eaving lauhala is like \ / \ / weaving a relationship," \ / \ / said Gladys Kukana \/ \/ Grace. "It is weaving V V together the older with the younger generation like a family. . . . We are all connected through weaving." A master at her craft, Grace is a recipient of the 2010 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship. The fellowship

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be described as the Grammys of master crafters and artisans, is the nation's highest honor in folk and traditional arts. Now 90, Aunty Gladys, as she is most often called, also received the 2010 MAMo Award from Bishop Museum. "Aunty Gladys Grace embodies the spirit of Maoli Arts Month," said Project Manager Noelle Kahanu. "She perpetuated and promoted Native Hawaiian arts through her myriad of classes and workshops." MAMo is a monthlong annual event celebrating the artistry, mastery and beauty of Hawaiian visual arts. This month, the OHA Board of Trustees plans to recognize Aunty Gladys' accomplishments with a resolution congratulating her for her selection as a 2010 National Heritage Fellow. Aunty Gladys has held workshops and demonstrated the art of lauhala around the globe,

Aunty Gladys Kukana Grace weaving. - Photo: Courtesy ofErnesta Masagatani

Some of the fine lauhala work Ihal has earned Aunty Gladys Kukana Grace the nation's highest honor in folk and traditional arts. - Photo:

Courtesy of Bishop Museum

fromprivate homes on O'ahu to the World Indigenous Peoples' Conferenee on Education in Hamihon, New Zealand; from the Prince Lot Hula Festival in Moanalua Gardens to the Smithsonian Museum's Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. Weaving from the heart, she would mueh rather give her pieces away to family, friends and her students. But Aunty Gladys' works of art are sought-after by collectors and museums alike, having had exhibits at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois; Bishop Museum; East-West Center and the Bridge Gallery Exhibits, both at the University of Hawai'i, and Honolulu Academy of Arts. As a child on the Big Island, Aunty Gladys together with her two sisters learned the traditional art of weaving fromtheir grandmother, Kukana Eleneka, who was pure Hawaiian. In the old way, they learned by listening to the oral traditions, watching and doing, memorizing all the patterns and designs. The family were masters in 'ānoni, plaiting exquisite lauhala hats with very narrow strips of pandanus leaves in two contrasting colors. Back then, about 80 years ago when she was learning this craft, the weaving helped her 'ohana make ends meet as they traded finished pieces for food or clothing. "Ulana me ka Lokomaika'i," whieh means weaving with goodness and kindness from within, is the name of the highly respected weaving club on O'ahu that Aunty

Gladys co-founded with her student, master weaver Frank Masagatani. They wanted to give students and weavers a plaee to learn. Club members enthusiastically share the inspiration and joy of lauhala weaving with all who are interested, and they are frequently asked to discuss their craft and demonstrate their work. Aunty Gladys hopes, "all who learn will weave from the heart." ■

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