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The Sassy Hat is an original style created by my kumu, Margaret Lovett, on Kaua’i. It’s a wonderful style, dressy, and yet perfect for bad hair days. As for the makaloa… Lots of lessons learned! First off, make sure your makaloa is completely dry before weaving. I did a LOT of splicing and covering of the broken pieces. Not fun. The papale still turned out pretty cute. I heard someone in Kona is wanting to hold a “Makaloa Festival.” So if they do, I’ll be prepared with something to wear.

Classic Pillbox Simplicity is elegant. As much as we try, sometimes papale turn out boring. Side view of Pillbox Top view of Lauhala Stewardess Hat While it is not good for the koana to be blocked and reblocked repeatedly, sometimes it’s worth changing up the first try. I liked how the Pillbox turned out originally, but as time went by it started to seem boring. Don’t get me wrong, I’m generally not “EXTRA.” I love classic lines. But this papale was plain. So I built up the nerve and attempted re-blocking it into a Stewardess Hat. It looked better, but...

Lauhala hats are a relatively small niche interest… in Hawai’i nei they seemed to have become a sort of status symbol. I imagine the price for a unique handmade 100% made in Hawai’i creation seems exorbitant to those who aren’t familiar with the art form. People don’t realize how much time and energy actually goes into papale ulana.  The “weaving” is the fun part… what most people don’t know is how much effort is needed in finding, gathering, cleaning, and preparing the lau for weaving.  Not to mention the hazards of centipedes bites and cuts from thorns.  Please check out...

[Originally from an earlier blog at konafarmgirl.com] Pa’u 2004. Cup & Saucer Lauhala Hat. Photo by Sherry Holloway. Cup & Saucers are vintage style from the early 1900s… probably much, much earlier. In lauhala, they require weaving from the piko, down the ipu, back up and out to the brim. The picture above is my first Cup & Saucer papale. Margaret Lovett of Kaua’i, my kumu, taught me how to weave that Cup & Saucer at the Ka Ulu Lauhala O Kona annual weaving conference in May 2004. I wore it riding as Pa’u Queen the following month in the Kona Kamehameha Day Floral Parade....

[Originally from an earlier blog at konafarmgirl.com] Consistent tension when weaving lauhala is necessary to create a nice even look. It is also necessary to use tension as a means to create shape. Unlike wool felt halts that can be steamed and shaped, lauhala does not contract or stretch the way felt can. While some creases and flattening can be ironed in during “blocking,” much of the shape, especially the brim, must be woven in using tension. One of the first challenges for a weaver is getting the feel for weaving an even flat brim. More challenging is knowing when and where...