welcome to the ulana library!

ℹ️ This website is, first and foremost, a collection of resources -- from articles to clubs, and everything in between -- related to the perpetuation of ulana lauhala. These are resources we found helpful on our learning journeys, and we wish to share them with others so that the practice & culture of ulana will be perpetuated deeply into the future.💡 Whether you are learning about lauhala weaving for the first time, or you are a seasoned weaver hoping to build on years of experience, we hope you'll find something useful amidst these links.📂 Sections in the ulana library are organized by type of resource, with examples included for every island we were able to find. Use the jump buttons below or scroll around however you see fit.‼️ This list is by no means exhaustive. We strive to maintain it regularly and keep things fresh, but there are many other resources, on and off the web, that you may come across. If you have something you'd like to add, please contact us with your suggestion! Conversely, if you find anything that should not be included here or run into any technical difficulties, please drop us a line.⚡️ One more thing: note that not all resources listed address the topic of ulana lauhala, but all are directly relevant! To deeply understand ulana lauhala, one must deeply understand Hawaiian culture & history, ecology, aboriginal ethnobotany, and more.❤️ Enjoy, keep in touch, and ulana on!

- Meredith & co

• About Us
• About Ulana Lauhala

about us

The Ulana Library carrd is curated by Kumu Ulana Lauhala Meredith Buck, with assistance by ulana Kamakani'olu'olu McKeague. We add to the library regularly, so that others may find and benefit from the resources that have helped us build our foundation of 'ike.Got a suggestion, comment, or other feedback? Want to volunteer as an admin on the page? Send Meredith an email!

e pili ana no ke ulana lauhala

(All About Lauhala Weaving)

Ulana Lauhala -- the weaving or plaiting of Pandanus leaves -- is a traditional Hawaiian cultural craft that reaches back thousands of years in Pacific history. Traditionally, knowledge of this craft was protected and passed from generation to generation within families.In Hawai'i, Pandanus tectorius, or hala, is the native Pandanus species that was used historically and that many weavers in Hawai'i prefer today. All parts of P. tectorius were used for a plethora of purposes, including the roots, fruits, seeds, flowers, trunk, and leaves at varying stages of growth. The Hala tree provides fiber for weaving and making cordage, supplies for shelter and farming, medicines for a variety of ailments, food during times of dearth, and more.The leaves of the Pandanus tree are harvested -- sometimes dry, sometimes green -- and then cleaned, de-thorned, softened, and stored for later use. When it's time to begin weaving, the lau (leaves) are stripped into evenly-sized pieces and further sorted according to the needs of the project.In previous eras, lauhala weaving was focused primarily on utilitarian items for daily use, such as mats, bedding, sails, thatching, and very basic hats and baskets. People made what they needed, items that directly served a life lived close to the 'āina and in community. With America's invasion of Hawai'i came the influence of western fashion, and thus began the development of modern lauhala items, such as fashionable hats, handbags, and fine jewelry.Today, Ulana Lauhala is shared with the greater community and protected by a mutual collective understanding of cultural protocol. Following a century of colonial genocide, cultural loss & the pressure to assimilate to an imposed American way of life, many of the master weavers of previous generations have passed away without the opportunity to bestow their knowledge to the younger ones....But with the advent of the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance of the 60's and 70's; the introduction of lauhala weaving conferences; and 21st century tools which facilitate the storing and sharing of information; a renewed passion for perpetuating ulana lauhala and its many related cultural arts has begun to blossom. Many young weavers are now bringing their fresh ideas and energy to ensure that no further 'ike hana no'eau (knowledge of ancestral arts) is lost.Practitioners of ulana lauhala are proud to carry on the tradition, sharing it with anyone who is willing to learn and work hard to contribute to its thriving. We at Ulana Library hope to see this resource serve others in their efforts to this end.E ola mau i ka pū hala ! E ola mau i ka hana ulana lauhala !Long live the hala tree ! Long live the art of pandanus weaving !

ulana club

Built in 2021, Ulana Club with Kumu Meredith is equal parts hālau, hui, and hoa. Meeting regularly across Hawai'i Island, the club is comprised of Meredith's haumāna and weaving peers of all experience levels.Ulana Club's lessons are provided in person only, according to the protocol of the oral tradition which has been passed down through the generations. An online chat/database component is also provided for support and group coordination between meetings.At this time, Kānaka Maoli ages 17-35 are prioritized for entry to Ulana Club,