The artist shares of one of his patterns, "the symbol of compass/square being exactness and order as well as ʻTo surround; to environ; to inclose on all sides; sometimes followed by around, round or about.ʻ" #halekua #hawaii #hawaiian #indigenous #photography #sybmolism

This mele pāʻū is a prayer, with patterns symbolizing unity, balance, and order, honoring the kūpuna who formed the foundation of the future, adorned with feathers of owl and nēnē to bridge the celestial and earthly realms. This creation speaks of restoration, righteousness, and the unbroken connection between ʻāina, ʻohana, and lani. #halekua #hawaii #hawaiian #restoration #heavens

A mele that carries a vision for the Hawaiian Kingdom’s restoration, ushering in righteousness and higher consciousness, this pāʻū is a physical manifestation the artistʻs prayer for his ʻohana, ʻāina, and all of humanity. Artist: Ammon Koaikapono Whigham Inoa Pāʻū: Ke Huna Koaikapono Pala Luhiehu o Ke Kaiāulu Ki'eKi'e Loa Inoa Kāpala: Kīke'eke'e, Lauli'ikoa, Launuikoa, Naiwionakupuna, Keaoakahunalā, Kahuluakahunalā #halekua #hawaii #hawaiian #mele #song #humanity

The artist reflects, "Uncle said, ‘Being a hula dancer wasn’t only dancing, you had to make and adorn yourself too!’ But you didn’t have formal lessons, you watched the older dancers, you watched your alaka’i, you learned by watching and mimicking. For the next 3 years I gathered, prepared, and weaved in the haku style of lei making the best I could. Uncle would say …’you will work hard in making your lei, because you will wear it at your performances. If it’s falling apart or made well, you will wear it.’ When I was 13 years old, we were honored with the opportunity to dance at the newly restored Hula Pa overlooking Kilauea. Then alakai, Etua Lopes began practicing with me and 4 of my hula sisters to prepare for the hour long presentation. Preparing for this was the first time I prepared hula lei and kupe’e made in this haku style of lei made only of palapalai ferns. In 2000, after 10 years of being away, I returned home to Kona, a single mom with my baby Pola’a in arms. In 2004, with several years of learning and studying with the ladies of Halau Na Lei O Kaholoku, I was preparing for my first time dancing on the Merrie Monarch stage. As we were a week and a few days away from the stage, we gathered palapalai in the forest of Kalopa in Honokaa. I again had the opportunity to learn gathering protocol and lei making. This time with alakai Lorna Kapualiko Lim. Lorna began weaving lei palapalai for our upcoming Merrie Monarch presentation. She was also hapai with Wehilei. A day after lei making began, I was called to assist Lorna in lei making. I hadn’t weaved in many years, and I was afraid. This was too important. But I made my way to Waimea where Lorna was set up and weaving. I found that I was not there to assist, but to weave. There were times in that week Lorna and I would trade off and hand the weaving of a single strand back and forth with each other so that we both could jump in the line to practice our hula. I had never experienced this kind of honesty, confidence, love, and trust. The lei for our hula sisters and for that presentation changed my lei hands again. Pola’a and I travelled to Kalopa, Hawaii and gathered palapalai for this Hoike.”

The artist speaks of the inspiration for her pāʻū, Lanakilakeikiahialii, "In 1983, after watching the dancers of Kona Garden’s School of Hawaiian Arts practice and perform many times throughout the years and throughout Hawaii Island I told my mother, I want to dance for “that” Kumu. My mom handed me the telephone and said “…if I wanted to dance for another Kumu Hula, then I needed to call and ask…” I called my Kumu Hula Ulalia Kaai Berman and asked if I could learn from another Kumu? I asked her if I could study with the dancers of Kona Garden’s School of Hawaiian Arts? With Kumu Hula George Lanakilakeikiahialii Naope? Kumu Ulalia said “…of course, go and learn!” In the summer of 1983, when I was 10 years old, I began learning Hula from Kumu George Lanakilakeikiahialii Naope and Alakai Iwalani Kalima with the Kona Garden’s School of Hawaiian Arts." She continues about its companion piece, Kaai: "In 1978, my mother took me to the old bowling alley building in Kainaliu, Kona to my very first hula lesson. I was 5 years old. My first Kumu Hula is Ulalia Kaai Berman of Ulalia School of Hawaiian Dance. Kumu Ulalia introduced me to Hula. She taught me my basics of hula. She embraced me, encircled me, and fed me Hula. I love her, she is my Mama Hula. She called me “Shorty”. I was the shortest dancer in Halau. Her daughter Ho’olai and I became inseparable. Ho’olai was always late for practice and never wanted to dance. I was the opposite, I always wanted to dance. Ho’olai and I were different but the same hula dancers. In those 5 years of hula, Mama Hula introduced Ho’olai and I to everything Hula. We went to performances around the island, we attended Merrie Monarch Festivals and events every year, we participated in Hula workshops and learned from many Kumu Hula. Most times we were the youngest dancers, but to Mama Hula it didn’t matter, we were hula dancers, no matter what age or height! In 2004, now a mother of a 4-year-old I too travelled in the same footsteps of my mother and took my daughter Pola’a to her first hula lesson with Kumu Ulalia Kaai Berman. This pa’u I made for Pola’a." #halekua #hawaii #hawaiian #hula #mother #daughter #motheranddaughter

Through the art of hula, the gathering of lei, and the creation of ʻohe kāpala, this artist shares a deeply personal journey—a story of learning, growth, and the passing of knowledge across generations. Each step in her journey honors the kūpuna who taught with love and discipline, and the keiki who now carry these traditions forward. It is through vulnerability and trust that the hands become skilled, and through aloha that the lessons endure. Every lei, every adornment, every dance becomes a reflection of this unbroken connection generation to generation. Artist: Deanne Leialoha Aoki Inoa Pāʻū: Lanakilakeikiahialii, Kaai Inoa Kāpala: Ohia, Liko #halekua #hawaii #hawaiian #hula #aloha #lei #leialoha