Hau’oli Makahiki Hou 2022!

Dancing hula at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center

I took this photo back in 2019 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. All the keiki had removed their slippers and went on stage to perform, leaving this cute array of shoes all over the pavement. It will be wonderful when we restart these performances again where we can gather, hug, honi and celebrate the Hawaiian culture through hula and music.

Mahalo to all my customers who came out to the in-person Made in Maui Festival and purchased my blockprint art. It was so good to see you and talk story! Mahalo also to those who supported my online store with your purchases during the first and second Festival days. I am so grateful to all of you!

There may be an in-person Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Festival in April, so fingers crossed and I had many requests for appearing again at the Saturday Swap Meet in Kahului. Once this latest Omicron covid variant subsides, I may return on a regular basis.

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou & Malama pono,

Palapala

New Honu Drink Mat and new Kalo Pillow Cover!

Honu Drink Mat Set (2pc)

Introducing my new Kalo Pillow Cover in a green fabric, handprinted with my Kalo blockprint and a new Honu Drink Mat set in dark green fabric with a light green blockprint of the Honu.

In Person Made in Maui Festival!

Note: In-person Made in Maui Festival is rescheduled for December 11, 2021. The location will be at the Special Events/Overflow Field, War Memorial Complex  (food booths location during the county fair). The event runs from 9am – 4:30pm. There will be around 20 vendors. Come and stock up on my blockprint art including home decor, dresses, tops, accessories and mens t-shirts!

To celebrate the Made in Maui Festival, I will continue the 10% Discount on all online orders until December 25, 2021. Just type in MADEINMAUI2021 at checkout.

dress with pockets
Mens T-shirt

 

New 51″ Table Runners

New Designs for Made in Maui Festival

I have come up with new Loulu, Honu and Laua’e designs for the Made in Maui County Festival 2021, November 5th and 6th! The festival was suppose to be an in-person event, but is now virtual. You can see my new designs in my online store  or at the Made in Maui County Festival website https://madeinmauicountyfestival.com.  

I have a special 10% discount for the two days of the festival – MADEINMAUI2021 which you can apply at checkout.

 

 

 

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou 2021!

 

Hau’oli la Ho’omaha me ka Hau’oli Makahiki Hou (Happy Holidays and Happy New Year)! I hope you enjoy the holidays as we celebrate in our small ohana bubbles this year. I reflect on the positives this year has given me – time to slow down, time to work in my garden and hale, time to enjoy a quiet Maui.

This past year has taught me to treasure my ohana, friends and the customers who have become friends. I will never take them or life for granted going forward. It will be so nice to see smiles again after we are no longer required to wear masks.   See you in 2021!

No shows or fairs for 2020

Aloha all,

On October 15, 2020, Maui began welcoming visitors again, but due to the pandemic, many businesses and craft fairs are closed or operating virtually.

Unfortunately, this year I will not be able to offer my products in person or give my returning friends and customers a hug and honi. I have been getting many requests for my hand printed clothing, but am not selling them online at this time. You may still purchase my Pillow Covers and Drink Mat sets online, but am gradually discontinuing the Tea Towels.

I created a Ki (Ti) Pillow Cover for my hale. In Hawaiian culture the Ki is considered a good luck totem and offers protection by the gods. You may see Ki plants hanging on car bumpers, or planted around the sides of houses. It seemed like a good design in these uncertain times. It will be available at future shows in 2021.

Please be pono while visiting Maui. It is your kuleana to wear a mask. Maui is very healthcare challenged and we have already seen a virus surge on Lana’i which up to now, had no cases.

Hope to see you in 2021! Malama pono, Palapala

Haleakala in the pandemic

‘Ahinahina in bloom on the top of Haleakala

Haleakala is a peaceful and stunningly beautiful place right now. There are few people to disturb the quiet so nature, especially the endemic plants, have rebounded with growth unseen in recent times.

It is wonderful to see the Kupaoa growing all along the hike to the summit. The leaves are a brilliant green with blossoms similar to the ‘Ahinahina.

There were also many Pukiawe plants along the way up to the mountain. The berries of this bush are a good food for the Nene or Hawaiian goose.

Maui Travel Update as of September 17, 2020: On October 15th, Maui and all the Hawaiian islands will welcome visitors who have had a Covid-19 negative test right before arrival. Tourists must purchase the test at their own expense and once a negative result is certified, they will not have to quarantine the 14 days. (There is discussion for a second test to make sure of the negative result.) Maui is very healthcare challenged. It would be easy to overwhelm our one hospital, so please be pono.

With aloha,

Palapala

Maiapilo in bloom!

Maiapilo
Maiapilo with Ulupalakua in the distance

The Maiapilo are now blooming on Maui! These endemic plants can be found on the way to La Perouse bay by the lava fields. These beautiful and fragrant flowers bloom near sunset, then wilt and turn red by the following day. Consider yourself lucky to be able to see these fleeting, gorgeous blossoms. It reminds me that nature is resilient and thriving in this quiet.

Above: Keone’oi’o (La Perouse) . Below: Wailea beach by the Four Seasons Resort
Lahaina town

An update on Maui (July 12, 2020): Hawai’i will be postponing out of state visitors until at least September 1st. August 1st had been the date of opening, but due to the uptick in virus cases here on the islands and the spikes on the mainland, there will be a pause. Travelers will need a Covid test before arrival, but will not have to quarantine for 14 days. The Maui Arts & Cultural Center will not open for the rest of the year and craft fairs are all cancelled until further notice.

Malama pono,

Palapala

A Quiet Maui

I can feel the mana of the aina becoming stronger with the quiet. I have been seeing a pueo on my daily walks and feel it is a positive sign. There is a Hawaiian belief that the Pueo (owl) offers protection.

The oceans are getting a well deserved rest. The water is becoming clearer and more fish are appearing among the reefs. I see shells along the waterline which is usually a rare sight.

I hope all of you are in a safe place and doing well as we wait out the worst of this pandemic. I miss you! My business came to a stop in March as craft fairs were cancelled and non-essential stores had to close their doors. With plenty of time now, I am creating new art and trying to come up with a plan for my life down the road. Live aloha! 

You may still purchase my blockprint art home decor on my online store (click on “Store” in the header bar at the top of this page).

A hui hou and malama pono,

Palapala   

New Laua’e Drink Mats!

New Laua’e Drink Mat sets in tan or cream background

My Laua’e drink mats are now a bold Laua’e leaf blockprint hand printed in green with either a cream or tan fabric background. The cream drink mats pair nicely with my cream Laua’e Tea Towels and the tan Laua’e drink mats go great with my Laua’e Pillow Cover!

Cream Laua’e Drink Mat set
Tan Laua’e Drink Mat set