How to Prepare Lauhala for Weaving

[@bernadetterussell5891]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge to the world

[@LiquidArtLab]

Mahalo plenty auntie for your lovely and informative video! My uncle was a lau hala weaver and now as an adult on the mainland i wish i had done this as a kid back home on Oahu. ❤

[@dabestlmt]

Lots of stuff coming out on KZbin. Much aloha to you.

[@lilikoijuci]

Mahalo iā 'oe no kēia wikiō. I appreciate you sharing this mana'o, took me back to the days when I would kōkua ku'u tūtū with throughout the whole process. She was a weaver but loved to weave hats the most. It's been over 25yrs since she passed. This transported me back to those days. Me ke aloha, Sharon

[@dabestlmt]

Mahalo, you made my day. I often hear my kupuna when I weave. Maybe tutu will bring Ulsan Lauhala into your life.

[@lilikoijuci]

@@dabestlmt pēlā paha. Makemake au e hoʻomaʻamaʻa. Probably, i want to learn.

[@dabestlmt]

@@lilikoijuci what island are you on? I have some suggestions when you are ready. LMK

[@lilikoijuci]

@@dabestlmt unfortunately I don't live on island anymore. Priced out of paradise a couple years ago. Although, I'd still love to hoʻomaʻamaʻa. Mākaukau wau i kēia manawa. I'm ready now.

[@meredithbuck7905]

Welina mai me ke aloha e Anakē Mei Lin! I really enjoyed watching your video. I am a new weaver (less than 3 years) and have been apprenticing with the Kona Weavers. I can't get enough and if I'm not weaving, I'm looking for videos like yours to keep me inspired. Mahalo nui iā ʻoe!!

[@dabestlmt]

Mahalo Meredith. You are in good hands with the talented Kona Weavers.

[@beowoofthemoviestar]

Extremely interesting tutorial. We have NZ flax in the back yard, but I did not know such fine work could be produced from those stiff leaves. They break under the snow and ice, and i cut them and compost them. Guess I should at least TRY to process a few leaves. But I doubt that I have the patience to do what you do. Again, it was quite wonderful to see the various steps, and to glimpse the finished product.

[@dabestlmt]

Check out the group Weavers of the Pacific on Facebook.

[@merekeating4584]

kia ora thankyou for sharing your way...in a clear and easy to understand manner...well done I would love to learn how to start and layout a papale one day...

[@KathyinFlorida]

Thank you for the video. I bought a lauhala hat from a lady (from Manoa?) at a music gathering to honor Gabby. Must be maybe 5-6 yrs ago in Waimanalo. I am local born and raised with family in HNL for many generations. My pretty hat is now outside of Hawaii sitting on my closet shelf. I know it’s gotten stiff. How can a soften the (woven) hat to keep it from breaking? I thought I’d remembered something about Glycerin. Is that something I could use to soften the fibers? If so someone mentioned 10% glycerin to water…this was to soften prior to weaving. How long would I leave it in the water…just needing help to make this beautiful hat survive…Mahalo for your time. Kathy 0:42

[@fruitsandspiceschannel2235]

Thank you for sharing this video its very usefull, live in Sumbawa Island in Indonesia, I had alot of Pandanus Tree, now I can start collecting and weave😍😍😍😘😘😍

[@biliekeawekane2168]

Such a beautiful job - well done - really missing all of you and looking forward to meeting up again in August - hope I got the month correct - ha ha - take care everyone - and thank you again for the memories - Billie

[@taironevieira1288]

MARAVILHOSO adorei lindo todo o processo GRATO por postar.

[@micheleruddle-evans6507]

😘WOW! just Incredible!! God Bless you & 🙏 ❤️ your hands,and art,with this hard beautiful word!

[@dabestlmt]

Thank you!💚

[@maimitidenbreejen3727]

Awesome, thank you for sharing your knowledge 👍🏻🤩😍

[@justiciera68]

que belleza de mujer trabajando esta palma, hermoso tu trabajo, saludos desde Jalisco México!

[@2021mirandinha]

Que lindo! Obrigada

[@natejude5750]

Nice tutorial. What is the name of that tool to strip the leaves evenly? Where can I buy it?

[@dabestlmt]

It's called a koi or lauhala hand stripper. Google- Hana Hou in Hilo Hawaii. Communicate with the store owner, Michelle to help you. Aloha, Mei Lin

[@rutapoareu6043]

Bonjour, La brosse aiguilles peut on commander. Merci.

[@robinbrown8295]

Your video is fantastic. Very informative and helpful. Mahalo

[@binaryglitch64]

For plant weaving more steps than processing bamboo (AKA rattan) and willow but less steps than processing yucca, agave, and aloe (woven as a string, not a stiff ribbon.) Also they are three unrelated plants that all happen to look the same. They are not the same. Making that mistake can be way worse than thinking sweet potatoes and yams are the same... they are not, but mix them up and you still might not notice, the same can not be said of agave, aloe, and yucca... drink aloe tequila and make agave skin cream and you'll definitely notice... but all three make good rope.

[@juanitasavage756]

Kia ora from Aotearoa/NZ 🙋‍♀️💖

[@TheDebbydoll]

That was WONDERFUL!! Thank you so much!

[@ricestrawdiy]

Great video!

[@sharisees]

Mahalo for such an informative video. I’m trying to teach myself since I don’t have time to attend a class/club regularly. If you don’t mind, I have a couple of questions: 1) Is there such thing as the Lau being too dry? I picked some fallen leaves, but didn’t have time to clean and roll them right away. I’ve gotten back to them after about a month of them sitting in our carport in Niu Valley. They are cracking when I’m rolling them. Are they still usable? 2) Does it matter which direction you roll the Lau? With the spine facing in - with the curve of the leaf, or the spine facing out - against the curve. Hope you see this and are able to reply! Mahalo!

[@dabestlmt]

Sorry it took me a year to reply. Before rolling your leaves into a kuka'a it is a good idea to leave it out in the rain overnight or wet it and wrap it in an old shower curtain overnight ater you wet it. Turn it so the ele lau (part of the leaf that is farthest away fro the trunk) side is down. The po'o side can hold too much water and become water logged. Since the video, Since producing the video, I now take out the mid rib and roll half leaves to make the kuka'a. If rollin the whole leaf, I usually roll it with the mid rib on the outside. If the leaf is still cracky after you treat it over night leaves may be too old. Good luck!

[@peterandlinda2884]

In Australia we call this pandanus. Thanks for the great instruction.

[@laprincessa297]

Wow!!

[@lesahepburn9046]

Wonderful and thankyou.

[@juliettedine285]

Hi, where can I purchase one of those stripping blades please?

[@dabestlmt]

Hana Hou in Hilo Hawaii

[@katyingram7457]

Great Video. Thank you for sharing!

[@dianamarie2763]

Where can I get the spacer for cutting the stripes

[@dabestlmt]

You can contact Hana Hou in Hilo, Hawaii.

[@CraftSchoolOz]

What a great informative video - I'm going to try this as there are so many Pandanas trees here!

[@rickyrodney1874]

I realize I am quite off topic but does anybody know of a good website to watch newly released movies online ?

[@estebanarchie3292]

@Ricky Rodney i use flixzone. Just google for it =)

[@tysonjayden7781]

@Esteban Archie definitely, I have been using Flixzone for since april myself :D

[@rickyrodney1874]

@Esteban Archie thank you, signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :D I appreciate it !

[@estebanarchie3292]

@Ricky Rodney Glad I could help :D

[@earthrose7716]

Do you take apprentices? I am searching to learn lau hala weaving and practices

[@dabestlmt]

Where do you live?

[@sumantjogdand]

thanks for a good upload !

[@joslynnk3274]

Mahalo nui im going to give it a try

[@ULUAKAILUA]

Aloha Mei Lin, Super Video. Thanks. Where did you get the wooden Lauhala roller that you crank while sitting on it?. It looks wonderful. We live on Oahu. Mahalo Tiff

[@dabestlmt]

+ULUAKAILUA - Aloha e Tiff-My husband made it for me. The design was patterned after a roller that Uncle Willie Kaawaloa made for his wife, Aunty Minne (of Kalapana). She was a master weaver and the founder of our club Aha Puhala O Puna. Aloha, Mei Lin

[@ULUAKAILUA]

+Mei Lin Wong-Gary Mahalo Mei Lin for your prompt reply. You are lucky to have such a talented husband! Aloha Tiff

[@evalebronportal]

wonderful video thank you very much.

[@TuesdayD]

Thank you for the wonderful video. I teach art in Oregon and would like to incorporate more Pacific art types. This is fabulous! I noticed that you are wearing a beautiful bracelet. Did you make that too?

[@dabestlmt]

Aloha e Theresa, I am glad you enjoyed my video. Pohaku Kaho'o'hanao'hano from Maui made my bracelet. In my leaning tradition, bracelets are usually the first project that we lear/teach. You can probably find some videos of Pohaku on the internet. He is an excellent weaver. Aloha, Mei Lin

[@Imbridget2003]

Mahalo,this is a wonderfully done video. You've got me noticing all of the Puhala Trees all over the Island. I am going to try making a bracelet this Friday. I am in awe of your hats and hope some day to be able to purchase a lauhala hat. PS how many leaves are needed to make a hat? Curious.

[@dabestlmt]

Mahalo for the feedback. I am not a hat maker. All those hats were made by my kumu and other master weavers. The number of leaves needed for a hat depends on the style.

[@dabestlmt]

I’m a hat weaver now! I weave the piko ole (crownless) papale. Been doing this since Covid. This type of hat requires about 25 half leaves depending upon the size of the brim.

[@lindaoszajca]

Mahalo for the great video. It's wonderful for us Hawaiian expatriates to relearn old skills. One question . . . I am relearning how to make lauhala bracelets and on some of my older bracelets it looks as if they were finished with an oil or sealer . . .wondering what it is?

[@dabestlmt]

Linda Oszajca Mahalo for your comment, Linda. Some weavers use mineral oil to give their product a shine. Aloha, Mei Lin

[@lindaoszajca]

Mahalo for giving me that info! I wil use that. Sorry to keep bothering you but . . . Do you think kukui nut oil would work too-I have some? Before I got your message I ordered some more lauhala from Aloha hula supply and they told me kukui nut oil but I would tend to listen to you more since you have much more experience. malama pono, Linda

[@dabestlmt]

Linda Oszajca Hi Linda-I guess kukui oil would work for your lauhala product too. It's kind of pricy and I would prefer to use it for my skin. My kumu used mineral oil for her products. Good luck.

[@lindaoszajca]

Hi Mei Lin, I took your advice about the mineral oil, I figured you were a lot more experienced than someone at Aloha hula supply! I will let you know how it goes. Mahalo for getting back to me a second time, I really appreciate it! Aloha nui!

[@rosemaryp8321]

Linda Oszajca j kart

[@liannetowgood5018]

where can i get one of those adjustable spacers tool please????

[@dabestlmt]

Contact Hana Hou located in Hilo Hi. Michelle, the owner, can help you. Sorry It took so long to reply.

[@samuelperez1886]

Hope you can teach us how to weave a papale through a video, even if it has its limitations, that's better than nothing, since I´m leaving in Mexico, you know, is just a dream to travel to Hawaii, Mahalo

[@dabestlmt]

+Sm Pm Sorry I don't do papale. I hope your dream to come to hawaii will come true! Until then Aloha!!!!

[@samuelperez1886]

Thanks Mei Lin, ¡Aloha!

[@jmjm1920]

Similar to Tongan IeTonga took years to process and make quality kie for the Highest! Malo

[@ポリネシアカルチャーセンター]

You will be a great KZbinr if you have more tutorial videos!

[@dabestlmt]

Thank you! I take your encouragement to heart!

[@TuesdayD]

One more question...will you be making more video tutorials? I would love to have my students make a bracelet.

[@dabestlmt]

I don't have any immediate plans for another tutorial video. Marquis M. with the Bishop Museum, has a very good bracelet making tutorial on You Tube. Just google in How to make a lauhala bracelet. Good Luck. I think you can also get kits online or on Etsy. Aloha ML

[@kris22948]

Mei Lin, I am just getting into weaving and came across your video . So informative and well done. would love to connect with you and learn more.Not sure how to connect with you or if I can leave my contact information.Not even sure if you remember me Kris Short

[@dabestlmt]

Hi Kris, Are you the massage therapist who used to do hot stone massage a few years back? Otherwise please refresh my memory as to how I know you. Are you in Hilo?

[@kris22948]

@@dabestlmt Yes it's me....I sent you a FB message so that my Cell # isn't on you tube !!

[@kris22948]

@@dabestlmt yes it's me...I keep putting this comment but I can't see that you are getting it ??

[@zitaocarroll4925]

Wonderful video, can I purchase the strippers to make the strips at all?

[@dabestlmt]

Check Hana Hou in Hilo, Hawaii. Or you can check on Etsy-Lauhala tools?

[@zitaocarroll4925]

@@dabestlmt Many thanks Mei Lin

[@zitaocarroll4925]

@@dabestlmt many thanks Mei! Zita