Keanahala ma Kaʻākaukukui
a weaving residency
at Aupuni Space

August 16 – October 12, 2025
Saturdays and Sundays 11–3

Puʻuhonua Society is pleased to present Keanahala ma Kaʻākaukukui, a weaving residency at Aupuni Space.

This residency aims to express the breadth of a practice rooted in gathering and connection. When we gather to work with hala we learn by doing and the joy comes from doing together. Aupuni Space provides extended time and space for our lauhala weavers to process and prepare lau and then weave a large living room area mat for one of our beloved kumu, Lorna May Kealoha Chang Pacheco. Aunty Lorna, lovingly known as hala tūtū, is a dedicated hala weaver and mentor to all beginning weavers who come up through the Keanahala program.

Beginning August 16th, Keanahala will hold weekend open studio time and workshops hosted by members of our hui, each day having a focus on different aspects of hala practice ranging from preparing hala into kūkaʻa, processing ule hala into cordage, lauhala tinkering to hala drawings, playing games, and a presentation about hala. The residency will culminate in presenting the finished moena to Aunty Lorna, amongst her friends, colleagues and haumana.

Working with hala (Pandanus tectorius) is based on a value system that respects our natural (re)sources, bringing our poʻe kanu and our poʻe kānaka into right relations with the understanding that our fate is inextricably linked. Keanahala is a community weaving program that welcomes all and embraces and perpetuates the Native Hawaiian practice of ulana lauhala (pandanus weaving) as an everyday affirmation of cultural resiliency and presence. Keanahala honors the process from ʻāina to moena by starting from the beginning through gathering and caring for beloved pūhala planted by our kumu, by our kumu’s kumu, and by members of our hui, preparing the lauhala, and then moving on to learn “the basics,” setting a pā for a deeper practice that culminates in learning to ulana and repair moena. By weaving moena together, we learn this communal practice by doing.

Community events schedule:
all events 11am–3pm
events marked in blue require registration

August 16: Ule Hala, processing and making simple cordage with Lise.Processing fibers and making simple cordage out of the aerial root of the pū hala. Every part of the tree is used in Hawaiian culture, and we will go over the uses of this particular part, and learn together what to harvest and how to process. Ule provided. Small kine messy, maybe bring boroboros and change of clothes if you are going somewhere after. August 17: Hearts, stars, and fish pins with Sandy.A beginner weaving project for keiki to kupuna to ulana a small adornment made from koena lauhala, or the “leftovers”. In weaving lauhala, nothing goes to waste, every lau finds their purpose! We will also likely be preparing lau harvested from pūhala.
August 23: 11-1 Hala Prep.Starting from the beginning, we will prepare lau harvested from pū hala that we care for. Wiping, removing the iwikua, softening, and making kūkaʻa to be used in future community gatherings. Stick around to ulana insect keychains with Corrine Takara at 1pm. 1-3pm Lauhala insects with Corinne Takara.Mini moʻolelo weavings with Corinne Takara! Ulana an insect keychain made from lauhala.
August 24: 12–3pm Mahjong with Jennifer Dang and Cathy Todd.Learn and play mahjong with Jen and Cathy! We will also likely be preparing lau harvested from pūhala.August 30: 12–3pm: Pū Hala Garden presentation by Lanoa O Pono Keahinuʻuanu, followed by Hanafuda.A hala presentation by Lanoa of Nānākuli (about 45mins) followed by a few rounds hanafuda!
August 31: Twist bracelet with Kanoe Hojfeldt.A beginner weaving project for keiki to kupuna to ulana a simple apolima or bracelet using a technique that twists around the bracelet base. An adornment made from our koena lauhala, or “leftovers”, ensuring that no lau is left behind! September 6: Hala Drawing with Tamara Moan. Drawing is a fun way to engage and record your world and the skills are as easy as learning to write your name (really!). Get to know hala in a new way by putting its image on paper with Tamara. Step by step you'll learn to draw contours, use shading, and compose a scene using scale and perspective.
September 7: Pala ka hala, momona ka hāʻukeʻuke with Kainoa Gruspe. When the hala is ripe, the hāʻukeʻuke is fat!
Make an adornment of the hāʻukeʻuke, the sea sibling to the ʻāhui hala, with Kainoa. While supplies last! Always harvest responsibly.