Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Saturday, November 16, 2024 82° Today's Paper


Features

Hawaiian educator teaches how to craft poi pounders, boards

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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Earl Kawa‘a, right, gives pointers on how to carve and shape a poi board to Lynn Cooksey, left, Tia Keama (11, seated in a chair) and her mother, Dayna Keama.

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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Earl Keo, left, holds a papa kui ai (poi board) he planned to shape into five sides to represent his five children as Earl Kawa‘a hugs Meli Stain.

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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Cara Lucey, left, her son Bodhi Ansholz and his stepfather, Joshua Yoke, each make their pohaku kui ai (stone poi pounder) at Punaluu Ahupuaa Farms.

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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Sandi Kauahikaua explains to Alana Borsa some of the terms about the pohaku kui ai (stone poi pounder) she is making.

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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

May Au, 87, chips out “valleys” in her stone, making it easier for her to shape into its final form.

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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Earl Kawa‘a poses for a photo at Kawaiahao Plaza in Kakaako with a traditional Hawaiian poi-pounding board and stone along with tools used to create the items.

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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Earl Kawa‘a holds traditional Hawaiian poi-pounding stones alongside a hand-carved board used to pound taro into poi.