Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
ULUHALA
“Huli aku nānā i ka ulu hala Behold the hala grove
E kau mai ana lā i luna Placed in high regard
Me kona nani uluwehiwehi With its lush beauty
Mohala ana i kona lau As its leaves unfold“
The term Ulu means to grow and Hala refers to the pandanus tree. The Uluhala or the forest grove of hala trees is very important to our people: the a‘ahala (aerial roots) are used for medicine; the kīhala (fruit keys) for lei and paint brushes for kapa designs; and the pollen from the hīnano (male flower) as an irresistible aphrodisiac. The most noted use however, is that of the lauhala (hala leaves).The skill of Ulana (weaving or plaiting) is a prominent art form practiced all throughout Polynesia. Clothing, mats, sails, baskets, hats, hand-held fans and many other items of necessity were intricately woven, sometimes with exquisite designs using different shades of leaves from various locales.
Ulu is also the term for inspiration and is often chanted in ancient prayers to invigorate an awaken sense of spiritual awareness. Therefore, Uluhala is the ignition of an internal impulse of desire that comes when working with the master hala weavers of old ~for Manaola it was with the matriarchal genius of his ‘ohana and the faithful stewardship of the beloved Malu‘ihi Lee. Manaola spent countless hours weaving lauhala in the presence of these elders, and all the while, they were weaving ancient wisdom into the very fabric of his being, further anchoring his fashion consciousness.
Hala is often associated with the misconception of the negative connotation to “pass-away.” However, the more traditional understanding of Hala that was shared with Manaola is that of a more positive perspective. The ongoing Ulu or flourishing of the Hala, reassures our people that the cultural practices associated with its use, from base to leaves, will continue to be “passed- on,” as opposed to “pass-away.”
Manaola’s Uluhala pattern celebrates this inspiration of native intelligence staunchly guarded by cultural exponents who have since passed-away and honors the dedicated hearts of future practitioners who will continue to pass it on.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.