Hui e na hoa o keia hana waiwai nui o ko kakou mau kupuna mai ka la hiki a ka la kau, aloha nui no! I first began learning ka hana kapa five years ago as part of a hui of homesick Hawaiians and others in California who would pool our money and resources to bring up our kumu kapa--Dalani Tanahy, he wahine koa, ua 'a'ala kona inoa—every few months to teach us the different stages of kapa making. I also learned much from Maile Andrade, kapa maker, artist, mentor of uncounted grateful Hawaiians, and assistant professor of Hawaiian Studies at Kamakakuokalani/UH-Manoa. Some of my favorite and most precious tools were carved by “Maka” Makanani Atwood, Uncle Sol Apio, and Ben Stitt. Til today, I am still learning and experimenting and practicing, and I still feel the kahea of the kapa as much as at the first...well, ina ha'awi mai ke Akua mana loa i ka manawa ka'awale ia'u, ina piha ko'u hau'oli! (Aka mai lawe 'Oe i ka'u 'oihana mai o'u aku, ke 'olu'olu! No ka mea maopopo pono ia kakou he sense of humor ko ko kakou Akua!) Mahalo for this opportunity to share with you today. Aloha nui nō!
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