Michael  will present the traditional and modern weaving of the pandanus leaves in Hawaii from its pre-contact historical gathering, processing and uses to its modern diversification of weaving styles, products and techniques.

BIO: Michael Naho’opi’i is a native Hawaiian artist and cultural practitioner focusing on traditional and contemporary Hawaiian implements and crafts.  Michael’s specialty is traditional Hawaiian woven lauhala (pandandus) papale (hats) and jewelry.  Michael has studied under Aunty Gladys Grace of Honolulu, Hawaii as well as other kumu ulana lauhala on the neighboring islands. Michael is also a hula implement maker having studied under Aunty Hanai`ali`i Hayashida.

Michael regularly teaches lauhala weaving for the Honolulu weaving group “Ulana Lokomaikai” during its regular papale classes and workshops as well for the Kona weaving organization “Ka Ulu Laulaha o Kona” at its annual convention. His work has been shown at the National Museum of the American Indians in Washington, DC, the Michigan State University Museum in East Lansing, Michigan and the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. He has been a featured artist for the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, Bishop Museum exhibits “Ka Lei Papale” and “`Ike Lauhala” and the Maui Arts and Cultural Center exhibit “Ho Mai Ka Hala”.

As a cultural practitioner, Michael is a member of the hula halau, “Ka Pa Hula o Ka Lei Lehua” and was `uniki as an `olapa by Kumu Hula Holoua Stender. He is currently under the training of Kumu Hula Snowbird Bento. Michael was also trained and `uniki as a mo`olono (keeper of the makahiki ceremonies) for the island of Kaho`olawe and has spent 20 years perpetuating the traditions of Lono I Ka Makahiki on Kaho`olawe.

Born and raised in Kaimuki, Oahu, Michael attended the Kamehameha Schools and the United States Naval Academy.  After graduation from Annapolis in 1986, he first served in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear-trained submarine officer in the Pacific Submarine Forces and later as the Naval Officer-in-Charge of Kaho`olawe. After leaving the Navy in 1995, he spent the next ten years on the cleanup of Kaho`olawe eventually rising to the most senior Native Hawaiian on the U.S. Navy project as Senior Project Engineer. After management of Kaho`olawe was transferred back to the State in 2004, Michael worked for the Native Hawaiian Organization, the Hana Group and the Pacific American Foundation (PAF).  He managed health, safety and quality control programs for the Hana Group and native Hawaiian policy and education programs for the PAF. In 2008, he was appointed Executive Director of the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission.

MEETING DETAILS: February 14th, 2024 @ 6:30PM, Wednesday.  This meeting will be in person and on Zoom (i.e. hybrid).