Free Hawaiian Cultural Workshops on Saturdays in Lahaina Begins April 3

The Lahaina Restoration Foundation will hold free Hawaiian cultural workshops from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays beginning April at the ʻĀpuakēhau Cultural Park – next to the Lahaina Public Library.

The April workshops will focus on “canoe plants” and each month the emphasis will be on a different plant that was used in ancient Hawaiʻi. All supplies for the workshops will be provided.

The workshops are limited to five participants and are open to anyone 10 years of age and older. All workshops are held outdoors with social distancing and masks are required.

“Canoe plants” refer to the many useful plants that Polynesians first brought to Hawaiʻi on their voyaging canoes. The plants to be used in the workshops include hau (hibiscus), ipu (gourd), niu (coconut), and ‘ulu (breadfruit).

As the most important “canoe plant” and because the park is the former site of the King’s kalo patch, information on kalo will be presented at each workshop. Several beds of kalo are currently growing at the park.

During the month of April, participants will learn how to make strong and durable cordage from hau (hibiscus) and will view a demonstration of how to clean and prepare an ipu for use. At the conclusion of the hands-on workshop, each participant will have made a length of cordage which they can take home. The cordage and ipu workshop will be held on Saturdays – April 3, 10 and 17.

Kalapana Kollars, Hawaiian Cultural Director at Lahaina Restoration Foundation, will conduct the hands on workshops. Kalapana has been devoted to Hawaiian life-ways and the study of local history for over 25 years. As a lifelong learner, he actively apprentices under notable Hawaiian leaders.

The workshop series is funded by the Maui County Strong Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation through funds granted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and coordinated by Lahaina Restoration Foundation.