May 18, 2006
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
BISHOP MUSEUM’S SATURDAY WORKSHOPS IN JUNE WILL WEAVE LAUHALA AND GENERATIONS TOGETHER
HONOLULU – Lauhala weaving has always been a treasured art in our Hawaiian culture. Weavers were able to create sails, mats, baskets, and other necessities, just using the technique and leaves of the hala tree. Today, experienced artisans are able to create wonderful works including hats, purses, and other accessories utilizing the different colors of lauhala here in Hawai‘i, and creating unique designs.
Join Gwen Kamisugi and Sandra Furoyama as they lead a hands-on workshop on lauhala weaving on Saturdays, June 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2006 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Over the course of the four, 3-hour sessions, students will learn the basic techniques of lauhala weaving and create their own fish bookmark, bracelet, fan, coaster and/or basket. Students of all experience levels are encouraged to join the fun and learn this important Hawaiian craft. The workshop is appropriate for ages 12 and up and limited to 10 students.
An avid collector of lauhala woven hats, Kamisugi started weaving in 1997. She trained under noted lauhala weavers Aunty Gladys Grace and Frank Masagatani. Kamisugi has been teaching others since 1999 and has taught across the islands. She has held demonstrations at Na Mea Hawai‘i and at the Prince Lot Hula Festival at Moanalua Gardens. Her work was among those presented at the 2005 World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education Convention in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Workshop fee is $35 and includes all supplies. Participants should register for the workshop by May 27, 2006 and can do so by calling (808) 216-1970 or email hooipo@halekuai.com.
This workshop is a part of the Native Hawaiian Crafting and Demonstrations Program, an ongoing program supported by Bishop Museum and Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program (NHCAP) funded through a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, and by funding from the U.S. Department of Education.
A treasured resource of Hawaiian history and heritage Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Located at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for youth 4-12 years, special rates for kama‘āina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum Members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.