Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives is proud to announce ‘Ohe Kapala Carving workshops with Nalu Andrade of Nā Maka Kahiko. Those interested can choose to attend one or all of the workshops to be held once a month: January 21, February 25, March 25, April 8, May 13, and June 3, 2023 from 10:30am to 12:30pm. The cost is $30 per person per workshop, plus the cost of the ‘ohe kapala carving kit, available for purchase in the Hawaiian Mission Houses’ Gift Shop. Each workshop is limited to 15 participants which allows for a close hands-on instruction with this master practitioner and teacher. The workshops will be stand-alone classes, but participants are welcome to keep coming to build their skills of this art form. Pre-registration is encouraged through the Hawaiian Mission Houses’ website www.missionhouses.org.
Nalu Andrade of Nā Maka Kahiko is a Hawaiian cultural practitioner specializing in wood carving. Nalu first had an interest in carving at the age of six when he was witness to the 1978 voyage of Hōkūleʻa. While still in high school, he was asked to help with the lashing on Hōkūleʻa at Pier 40. During his time with Hōkūlʻea he met many artists and carvers that were involved in the new Hawaiian renaissance. Keone Nunes became his good friend, mentor, and first formal teacher; guiding Nalu in his carving and hula. Wright Bowman Jr. along with Gil Ane asked Nalu to help with the construction of Hawaii Loa; where he continued his education in carving and lashing.In 2015, Nalu created Nā Maka Kahiko. Blending the old with the new; he created his hand carved ʻohe kapala earrings inspired by designs found in nature and his research at the Bishop Museum. With his business, Nalu sells not only his earrings, but also hair picks, ʻohe kapala stamps, bone makau and koʻi pendants, ʻohe hano ihu, ʻohe pu, and hu oeoe. Nā Maka Kahiko items can be purchased at the Bishop Museum, Honolulu Art Museum, and many other locations. Nalu also teaches his craft though workshops. He has done workshops for Pūnana Leo schools, University of Hawaiʻi, Kamehameha Schools, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 4 Days of Aloha in Vancouver, WA and many others. In 2020, Nalu introduced his online workshops, making his workshops accessible to people all over the world. Hawaiian Mission Houses is honored to have presented Nalu’s work at our Holiday Craft Fair and inside our Gift Shop for the last 15 years and now to partner with him on these workshops.