Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Friday, November 22, 2024 77° Today's Paper


Hawaii News

‘Who are you wearing?’

1/16
Swipe or click to see more
Dr. Pualani Kanakaole and Robert K. Iopa with their new children's book their new book, "'A'ama Nui, Guardian Warrior Chief of Lalakea."
2/16
Swipe or click to see more
Full Moon Cafe chefs Mark and Tedd Pomasaki.
3/16
Swipe or click to see more
4/16
Swipe or click to see more
Owana Salazar at the Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. (Photos by Lynn Cook/Special to the Star-Advertiser)
5/16
Swipe or click to see more
Paula Fujii of Double Paws Wear in Waimanalo.
6/16
Swipe or click to see more
Aunty Paulette Kahalepuna, left, is famous for featherwork. She has a shop in Kapahulu. Here, Giggles Mizumoto tries on one of her hat designs.
7/16
Swipe or click to see more
Scott Manley with some of his slate carvings.
8/16
Swipe or click to see more
Renowned kapa maker Dalani Tanahy.
9/16
Swipe or click to see more
Designer Sig Zane, left, with son Kuhao and MaryLou Foley. (Photos by Lynn Cook/Special to the Star-Advertiser)
10/16
Swipe or click to see more
Handsome guys Robert Williams, left, Kumu Belcher and John Roth at Hilo's Full Moon Cafe.
11/16
Swipe or click to see more
Kaliko Beamer Trapp and Maile Beamer Loo with a young friend.
12/16
Swipe or click to see more
Carver David Young.
13/16
Swipe or click to see more
Esteemed lauhala weaver Aunty Elizabeth A. Lee, center, with Katie Lowry, left, and Pam Lipscomb.
14/16
Swipe or click to see more
An unidentified fan of recording artist Kuana Torres Kahele.
15/16
Swipe or click to see more
Nelson Makua, an artist and head of the arts show, vistis with ipu maker Kalim Smith.
16/16
Swipe or click to see more
Designer Nake'u Awai, center, with Ku'uipo Kim, left, and kumu hula Cathy Ostrem.

The favorite shop for nearly every dancer and hula fan is Sig Zane’s place in Hilo town. Sig and his son, Kuhao Zane, are in the shop whenever they aren’t dancing or watching hula. Count on new fabric designs, old favorites in aloha shirts, dresses, plus surprises like the opportunity of the weekend, a chance to chat with Dr. Pualani Kanaka’ole and Robert K. Iopa about their new book, “‘A’ama Nui, Guardian Warrior Chief of Lalakea.” It is part of their Hawaiian Architectural Book Series for Children but one quick read and I can see it is as much about teaching the adults. The book is illustrated by WCIT Architecture with the mo’olelo by Dr. Pua. The line for autographed copies moves quickly. (Their book won two honorable mentions for children’s books at Thursday’s Ka Palapala Po’okela book awards, sponsored by the Hawaii Book Publishers Association.)

Sig and Kuhao have done many creative projects with their pal MaryLou Foley of the Waikiki Aquarium. Dressed in a “Sig,” she stopped in to say hi and mentioned that she was hungry. Sig sent us all around the corner to the newly opened Full Moon Cafe. Chefs Mark and Tedd Pomasaki are making food magic. Sig even suggested what to order. More about the menu and the chefs later.

Walking in the door we saw a group at the first table. Honestly, they looked like a magazine ad for a power lunch in downtown Honolulu. Couldn’t resist asking, “Who are you wearing.” John Roth, on the right, was wearing Nakeu. Kumu Belcher, center, was wearing Sig Zane, and on the left, Robert Williams was wearing Hina (just purchased for him by his wife, Stacey, direct from the designer at the Merrie Monarch Arts & Crafts Fair). The first two are trust and estate attorneys and Robert is in financial planning.

The aforementioned craft fair was still calling our names so we dined and headed out, running directly into Kaliko Beamer Trapp and Maile Beamer Loo, hanai son and daughter to the late great Nona Beamer. Maile is the head of the Hula Preservation Society and a kumu, her daughter is a budding dancer. Usually a presenter at ‘Imiloa astronomy center, this year she is expanding her research. Kaliko is a scholar, language wiz and musician.

Raining now, good time to head into the arts and crafts fair. Fair boss and artist Nelson Makua will tell us what is new. The credit card will speak to how many treasures can become ours.

———
Lynn Cook is a freelance arts and cultural writer who has studied hula for 25 years.

Comments are closed.