Weave Your Way into Hawaiian Culture

edited by Nan Frient

It's one of the first things many vacationers look for when they come to Hawaii: finding a way to experience a truly authentic Hawaiian activity. Now, with Ho'omau Na Mea Hala (continuing all things hala), a new and free cultural program presented by Mana Hawaii-Spirit of Hawaii Nei, visitors don't have to look far to get a first-hand glimpse of Hawaiian culture.

Every third Thursday of each month, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., visitors who stop by Waikiki Beach Walk's Mana Hawaii store can participate in ulana lauhala - weaving lau (leaves) from hala (Pandanus) trees into a simple design. Hawaiian weavers will be on hand to show them how.

"We want to share a customary Hawaiian practice with visitors," says Maile Meyer, one of the members of Mana Hawaii. "Weaving builds relationships with people and a place. That Hawaiian value is alive and well in Hawaii today."

During Mana Hawaii's new monthly workshop, visitors sit one-on-one with Hawaiian weaving experts as they share their skills and creative ways of fashioning natural lauhala materials into beautifully woven jewelry, baskets, hats, fans, bags and mats.

Guests will need at least half an hour to learn to weave simple items such as a bracelet, bookmark or star. To enhance the learning process, written and visual materials describing the steps of preparing and weaving lauhala will be on hand. In addition to Mana Hawaii's authentic Hawaii-made merchandise, take-home lauhala-making kits are available for purchase.

Authentic lomi lomi (massage), strum-along ukulele lessons and hula performances – all held at Mana Hawaii, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – are a few more ways visitors can experience the unique root culture and celebrate Hawaii's diverse ethnic makeup. For the full menu of cultural offerings at Waikiki Beach Walk and Mana Hawaii, go to www.WaikikiBeachWalk.com.

Photos courtesy of Mana Hawaii.