Lauhala Creations Coming Soon!

We saw Mahina Pukahi at the Hawai'i Conservation Conference today demonstrating lauhala weaving. With his wife, he has created really beautiful items. We're looking forward to seeing him at the Makeke Kapolei tomorrow!

Learn to Weave Lauhala at the Makeke

Come to the Makeke Kapolei on Thursday, August 2, 4-6 pm to try your hand at a traditional Hawaiian art -- weaving lauhala (pandanus leaves).  Learn from Mahina Pukahi of Wai'anae, a skilled artisan, who will teach you a craft that is important throughout Polynesia.  The event is FREE and FAMILY-friendly, thanks to funding support from the Hawai`i Tourism Authority administered by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

Photo from nakaniohula.com

Aquaponics system makes a debut at the market

Malama Learning Center brought its mobile aquaponics unit to Makeke Kapolei, which generated interest from many customers. We found that several people had heard of it and were even getting aquaponics units started at home. Others we eager to try. Aquaponics is a great way to grow food and fish in a closed system, saving water and fertilizer.

The Malama Learning Center's booth at Makeke Kapolei features plants galore!  There are plants to grow, eat, use to beautify your yard. Be sure to stop by and get your fresh plants. All edible plants are grown following organic practices.

Kapa Making Fun!

Mahalo nui loa to Ka'iulani de Silva for coming to our market on July 5 to share her knowledge and talent on kapa (Hawaiian bark cloth) making to our customers. She brought a lot of hand-crafted implements used to beat and decorate kapa.

These materials are used to make dyes the traditional way (roots, berries, clay, etc.)

Using the 'ohe kapala (carved stamp made out of bamboo), we decorated pieces of kapa-like fiber using brightly colored inks.

Even the young kids enjoyed the activities. (But that's not kapa printing on their faces!)

Kapa Making with Ka'iulani de Silva

Mākeke Kapolei, the weekly farmer’s and green market at Kapolei High, will feature kumu kapa Ka‘iulani de Silva on Thursday, July 5 from 4 – 6 p.m. She will demonstrate the Hawaiian traditional art of kapa (bark cloth) making, explaining the plants and tools used, how the fiber is prepared and beaten, and printing with ‘ohe ka pala (bamboo stamps).  Kapa was an integral part of every part of life in ancient Hawai‘i, for birth, marriage, daily apparel, and burial.   and printing with traditional Hawaiian ‘ohe ka pala.  You can even try decorating kapa yourself. This activity is made possible by a grant from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (funder) and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

Making 'Ohe Hano Ihu with Kawika Au

Mākeke Kapolei presented Kawika Au from Waialua, O‘ahu, who demonstrated the craft of making ‘ohe hano ihu (bamboo nose flute). Kawika is a cultural practitioner and cultural educator. He learned his crafts studying from master Hawaiian carvers and craftsmen, but more importantly by sitting at the feet of his kupuna (elders). Kawika believes that “education is only truly gained when you share what you have learned." Many children from a summer program came to visit Uncle Kawika and make their own nose flute.

CNHA Community Development Specialist, Katie Gallagher and Sayo Costantino, Malama Learning Center Environmental Educator, at Makeke Kapolei. This activity was made possible by a grant from the Hawai`i Tourism Authority (funder) and CNHA (administrator).