Of NotE
As practitioners of Hawaiian Culture, it is uncomfortable to declare our lifelong accomplishments on these pages. For many years we have been taught to be “haʻa” (humble) and to avoid bragging about what has been achieved in our own lifetimes. However, in this modern Western world, we realize that for us to establish credibility in this area of expertise, we must enable the reader to understand that our experience and education in the Hawaiian Culture has been extensive, and that we know much about that of which we speak.
“Hāʻupu mauna kilohana i ka laʻi.
Hāupu, a mountain outstanding in the calm.
Said of a person of outstanding achievement. Also used in praise of Hāʻupu, Kauaʻi.”
Teaching Offered
Aloha ʻĀina o Hawaiʻi primary facilitator, B. Kaʻimiloa Chrisman, M.D. has nearly 30 already prepared or preparable presentations on old-time Hawaiian culture and arts topics, ranging from tattooing to tapa-making, featherwork, medical practices, instruments, etc. (see list of presentation topics below). Such presentations can be as short as 30 minutes or even workshops as long as three 8-hour days or several weekends. The depth of teaching and learning depends on the level of knowledge students already have and/or their attention span and zeal for learning. Notably, Ka’imiloa has 45 years of experience at judging the needs of his audience or participants, has done a great deal of cultural teaching, and as Kumu (master teacher) he does not tire! He invites and enjoys questions, and they often lead to more learning for all involved.
Hawaiian Gourd Ipu Heke workshop
Available Hawaiian PrESENTATIONS, SEMINARS & Workshops
1) Hawaiian gourds in all their aspects - growing, selective pollinating, cleaning, curing, bug-proofing, cutting, polishing, oiling
2) Selecting, creating, and using proper Hawaiian gourds for hula instruments and various cultural utensils and containers
3) Traditional making of two- and three-piece ipu heke (gourd hula drums) with fixed handles and possibly sewn-on tops. Also, what gourds to look for and how to tell true Hawaiian gourd seeds from other seeds.
4) Specific Hawaiian woods for authentic making of tapa (bark-cloth) anvils and beaters, shark hooks, kāla'au hula sticks, drums, images, bowls, etc. Also, how the woods were worked in old times, and possible substitutes for endangered woods today.
5) Making authentic Hawaiian drums: pahu hula, pūniu and kilu, plus lapaiki. How, why and with what - including sharkskin and kala (unicorn fish)-skin tops
6) Feather leis and hatbands - all the types of feathers and the entire techniques
7) Hawaii's unique decorated gourds - ipu pāwehe, a lost art resurrected by Ka’imiloa through 15 years work and experimentation - including recovering and growing the very rare true Hawaiian gourds in many varieties
8) Old time Hawaiian tattooing in all its aspects, including designs, instruments, and inks
9) Hawaiian fishhook making - bone and pearl-shell types plus two-piece hooks and shark hooks
10) Hawaiian cordage - all the various materials, including what cordage was used for different purposes and why, and how the cordage is made
11) Making octopus lure (lūhe'e) in all its parts - and usage
12) Multiple types of Hawaiian ornaments, and how to make them
13) Making Hawaiian tapa (bark-cloth), including tools and water-marked tapa
14) Making and using Hawaiian dyes
15) Making Ni'ihau shell lei adornments, and finding the appropriate shells
16) Making all sorts of Hawaiian hand weapons, including ways of setting sharks teeth in them
17) Hawaiian spears and slings, and how to make them
18) Hawaiian stone work in all its aspects, stone-on-stone. Poi pounders, bowls, lamps and all the rest
19) Making fisherman's bait and hook container, ipu lē'ī, from wood bowl, gourd top and net cover
20) Hawaiian woodworking and tools - sharks tooth knives, small and large adzes, chisels, obsidian cutters, abrasives, polishing, etc.
21) Making dogs-tooth bracelets and necklaces - and why
22) Making the refined-type of boars-tusk bracelet
23) Making and using the Hawaiian pump drill and fixing natural-material drill tips in place
24) Making and using a proper Hawaiian adze - the correct handle and why, how to sharpen, how to lash on the stone (or metal) head
25) Designing, making and using bamboo tapa stamps, 'ohe kāpala
26) The Hawaiian malo (loin cloth)- how it was made, types, how worn
27) Hawaiian medicine and surgery
28) Show-and-tell overview of old-time Hawaiian culture and its arts using a great many displayed items coupled with PowerPoint presentation
“ʻOiai e nānā mai ana no nā maka.
While the eyes still look around.
While a person is living, treat him kindly and learn what you can from him.”