In celebration of Lei Day (and beyond), the Lyman Museum invites you to experience an artistic tradition unique to Hawai‘i with a very special exhibition and demonstrations of featherwork by Lei Hulu o Hilo, from April 28 through May 9.
Lei Hulu o Hilo was founded by the late, beloved Aunty Doreen Henderson, a Hilo native who dedicated her life to the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian featherwork, and who practiced and taught the art for several decades prior to her passing. She studied under Master Kumu Mary Kahihilani Kovitch, a student of Aunty Mary Lou Kekuewa who is considered one of the foremost featherwork teachers in Hawai‘i. Aunty Doreen’s rigorous teaching standards and love of the art form produced a number of teachers in their own right, two of whom are bringing this new exhibit to the Hilo community—by popular demand! For two weeks, Lei Hulu o Hilo students and teachers will dazzle visitors to the Museum with an extraordinary, colorful array of finished pieces. Visitors can also watch new creations being made by Lei Hulu o Hilo artists, and may learn how to make a feather flower to keep.
The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawai‘i to tell the story of its islands and people. Located in historic downtown Hilo at 276 Haili Street, the Museum is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For additional information on this special exhibit and Museum admission, call (808) 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org. E komo mai!
(L) Hawaiian Cultural Center of Hāmākua Kapa Hui, 2018. Photo credit: Puakea Forester (R) Tongan ngatu, 2023. Photo credit: Puakea Forester
Matinée Presentation:
RE-SCHEDULED FROM AN EARLIER DATE: On Tuesday afternoon, May 6, discover the captivating world of Pacific barkcloth as we examine the dynamic traditions of kapa from Hawaiʻi, ngatu from Tonga, siapo from Sāmoa, and tapa/masi from Fiji. Follow the fascinating processes by which tree bark is transformed into cloth, from the tools and techniques unique to each island group to the vibrant natural dyes that bring designs to life. We explore the shared cultural heritage and deep symbolic meanings embedded in these textiles, while at the same time appreciating the distinct artistic expressions and traditional uses—ranging from clothing to ceremonial attire to contemporary art forms—that define the barkcloth of each nation. UH-Hilo student Puakea Forester follows last month’s Part 1 focus on Hawaiian kapa with this afternoon’s Part 2 presentation: a unique opportunity to compare and contrast these “cloth without weaving” traditions and to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse cultural landscapes of the Pacific Islands. $3; free to Museum members. For details: (808) 935-5021 or www.lymanmuseum.org.
Lyman Museum ~ 276 Haili St ~ Hilo, Hawai‘i ~ (808) 935-5021 www.lymanmuseum.org ~ www.facebook.com/lymanmuseum The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawai‘i to tell the story of its islands and its people.
