hala dreamz (2022) 8 minutes and 5 seconds 16:9, color, sound

made in collaboration with keanahala as part of the exhibition "Keanahala" at Koa Gallery August, 2022 curated by Josh Tengan

"Keanahala, as we know it today, was initiated in 2018 as a community weaving program of Puʻuhonua Society to revitalize ʻulana moena, the cultural practice of weaving lauhala mats. The program honors the process, from ʻāina to moena, teaching haumāna how to care for pūhala and gather, harvest, clean, and prepare lau for weaving.

While our hui of weavers is only roughly five years old, Keanahala is based on a much older idea. The name literally translates to 'the hala cave,' referencing historical accounts of weavers who sought refuge from the sun's heat in cool, damp caves to weave. The cave's conditions were optimal, keeping the lau pliable, preventing damage, and breaking when weaving.

Over the last eight months, Koa Gallery at Kapiʻolani Community College became our 'hala cave,' with an invitation from gallery director Drew Kahuʻāina Broderick. Here we wove two large community moena. The first, made in January by members of our hui under the careful guidance of Cheryl and Mahina Pūkahi, found its home in the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, part of ʻAi Pōhaku Press' reading-room installation for Hawaiʻi Triennial 2022, Pacific Century: E Hoʻomau no Moananuiākea. The second moena, finished in August, was led by Keanahala alakaʻi.

Aunty Lorna often reminds us when we gather that the practice of ʻulana lauhala isnʻt just about the physical act of weaving. It's about weaving relationships, deepening our connections to one another through conversation, and sharing stories, which is in itself a collective act of healing. Like weaving, the moena is a metaphor for the joining of histories, genealogies, and mana of those who contributed to its making. It is a foundation. A space to gather. Share. Listen. Learn. Rest. Sheltah.

Our deepest and sincere mahalo to our kumu – Mahina and Cheryl Pūkahi and Aunty Lorna May Pacheco; to our kumu’s-kumus, mentors, and beloved friends – Aunty Gladys Kukana Grace, Aunty Agapita Sally Ladao, and Aunty Gwen Mokihana Kamisugi; to Maile Meyer, executive director of Puʻuhonua Society, who founded Keanahala and encouraged us to grow our capacity as alakaʻi; to Drew Kahuʻāina Broderick who allowed us to transform Koa Gallery into our hala cave for the past eight months; to the past, present, and future kumu and haumāna of the pūhala; and to all of those who showed up, week after week, to process and prepare lau together. We are ever grateful. "

Nā Alakaʻi o Keanahala