I have designed a new Hula/Lehua womens t-shirt for the upcoming 2024 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival!
My blockprint design is the Lehua blossom which is associated with the hula and Hopoe. Hopoe is both the name of the goddess Hi’iaka’s close friend and the description of a perfectly shaped Lehua blossom. Hopoe is credited with teaching the first hula to Hi’iaka. There are mentions in old stories of the lehua blossoms which sway to and fro in the wind and rain of Puna.
“Hopoe, ka Lehua ki’eki’e i luna” – Hopoe, the exalted Lehua on high.
