Hui No‘eau Presents Art with Aloha with Ha‘amauliola Makua Aiona & Kala‘i Aiona

The Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center will host a free talk story and demonstration with artists Ha‘amauliola Makua Aiona and Kala‘i Aiona from Hilo.

On Saturday, April 1, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. participants can talk story, ask questions, learn a few Hawaiian words and share about Hawaiian arts and crafts with the artists.

Art with Aloha with Ha‘amauliola Makua Aiona & Kala‘i Aiona at the Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center in Makawao. Photo Courtesy

Ha‘amauliola “Ha‘a” Makua Aiona has fifteen years of teaching experience at Waiakea High School and Ke Kula ‘O Nawahīokalani‘ōpu’u (Nawahī). At Nawahī, Ha‘amauliola established a Holistic Hawaiian Language and Cultural Arts Program called Mahu‘ilani that focuses on sharing the traditional arts.

She has over 20 years of experience in the art of ‘ohe kapala and has been a hula student for over 25 years and an instructor for kumu hula Johnny Lum Ho in Halau O Ka Ua Kani Lehua for 15 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Hawaiian Studies, a Masters of Education, and is a certified teacher through the Kahuawaiola Indigenous Teacher Education Preparation Program.

Kala‘i Aiona is a native to Hawai‘i Island and participated in the pioneering Hawaiian Language Medium Education Program in Hilo. A part of the first class at Pūnana Leo o Hilo, Ke Kula Kaiapuni ‘O Keaukaha, and a graduate of Ke Kula ‘O Nawahīokalani‘ōpu‘u, his true passion derives from his love of the ‘aina and meakanu Hawai‘i or native Hawaiian plants.

Kala‘i holds a Bachelor of Science in agri-business and has experience as a Hawaiian ethno botany teacher. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of plants, their uses, and the various Hawaiian crafts that can be created from them.

The Hui is also offering a two day ‘Ohe Kapala: Carving & Stamping Workshop April 2-3, from 9 a.m. until noon with Ha‘a and Kala‘i. In the workshop, students will discover the delicate intricacy and fine craftsmanship of the ‘ohe kapala—a traditional bamboo stamp and ancient tool used to decorate kapa or clothing. Every design has mana‘o or meanings that are interpretations of our natural environment or genealogy. Students will learn about the processes of hakulau (designing), ho’omakaukau (preparing), kalai (carving) & kapala (stamping). Ha‘amauliola and Kala‘i will also talk about cordage made from the hau plant and its use in stamping.

Students can register for ‘Ohe Kapala online or by calling 808-572-6560.