Nā Po'e Hana No'eau a Nā Kumu 'Ike
Artists, Teachers and Knowledge keepers
Our resident artist program is about reciprocity. Waimea Valley provides local teachers, artists, and knowledge keepers with a space to showcase their work. In turn, they share their profound knowledge with all who visit the Valley. Visit each artisan to gain a unique skill, learn about Hawaiian history and culture, and take home a treasure to remember what you have learned.
We are looking for lei makers and hale builders
Meet our Resident Artisans
Bobby Crisostomo
Ulana lau niu (Coconut frond-weaving)
Bobby is new to weaving launiu. He learned to weave from a Waimea Valley cultural staff member, and caught on so fast that he learned how to weave coconut hats, bowls, and headbands! You can find Bobby weaving in Kauhale, as he speaks about the wonderful display of cultural items that Hawaiian ancestors used long ago, and that are still used by Hawaiians today!
Brandon Bajo-Daniel
Ukulele lessons
Brandon has been playing the ʻukulele since he was a youngster in Hoʻolehua, Molokaʻi. He has been at Waimea for two years, sharing his love for music, and singing. Find Brandon teaching ʻukulele in Hale Kipa, a hale known to be a welcoming place for hospitality.
Dino Kapuni Harvest
Mea lei (Lei-making)
Dino started lei-making at a very young age. His grandmother, Margerte, and his great aunt, Martha, began selling nā lei at Aloha Tower to tourists arriving in Hawai'i in the early 1900s. His family's lei stand, Marthaʻs Lei Stand, is open today serving a wide variety of national and international visitors. Find Dino in Hale Hōʻike.
Marie Cera
Mea kapa and ohe kapala (Kapa-making and stamping)
Marie learned kapa making in an educational workshop, and became a student of the art. She honed her skills under cultural practitioners Kawai Aona-Ueoka, Dalani Tanahy, and Wesley Sen. Marie has been at Waimea for two years and demonstrates her skills in Hale Kuku, a kapa-making hale in Kauhale.
Manny Mattos
Mea Kaua (Hawaiian weapons-making)
Manny Mattos is a local boy, born and raised on the island of Oʻahu. For over 25 years he has been researching and perfecting his skills as a Hawaiian weapons craftsman. Manny has worked with many schools, educating students about endemic Hawaiian hardwood trees and the weapons that are crafted from them. Talk story with Manny in Hale Hōʻike.
Mokihana Pule
Mahi ʻai kalo & kuʻi kalo (Kalo farming and poi pounding)
Mokihana has brought her love of mahi ‘ai kalo to Waimea Valley. She has been a haumana (student) to a number of kalo farmers over the years on the islands of O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, and Hawai‘i. Mokihana shares with our guests how kalo is farmed, the different types of kalo grown at Waimea Valley, and how it is traditionally prepared. Find Mokihana at Kauhale.
Selena Holmberg
Lāʻau kukui (Native plant, candlenut)
Selena Holmberg was born and raised on the island of Oʻahu. For 21 years, Kumu Selena (teacher) has been with the Department of Education’s Hawaiian Studies program, where she shares her knowledge in elementary schools. Learn all about the uses for kukui with Selena, and make a hū (top) out of a kukui nut.
Stan Mayer III
Ulana lau niu & ulana lau hala (Coconut frond & lauhala weaving)
Stan was born and raised in Pūpūkea, Haleʻiwa. In 1993, when he originally came to the Valley, the aunties taught him to weave using many different plants including banana and ti leaves. In Hale Hōʻike, Stan uses the fronds to create little creatures, like roses and fish for the keiki.
Terry Brown
Ukulele lessons
Terry started playing ukulele in 1976 learning from some of Hawaii’s legends, Sonny D, Herb Ohta (Ohta-san) Gordan Mark, Carl Villaverde, Eddie Kamae, and Peter Moon to name a few. For 5 years Peter Moon taught him ukulele as well as Kiho Alu (slack key guitar). Over the years he has played with some of Hawaii’s best, including Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, Gabby Pahinui, Palani Vaughn, Dennis Pavao, Genoa Keawe, Don Ho, Loyal Garner, and Ledward Ka’apana.
Kawika Pangelinan
Traditional Hawaiian Instruments
Kawika Pangelinan is from Wahiawā, Central O‘ahu. He is a young man of many interests and talents - music, dance, language, craft, history, and culture. At Waimea, Kawika shares ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i - Hawaiian language lessons – and Hawaiian musical sound and rhythm exploration through traditional instruments. He perpetuates the Hawaiian culture through his teaching by way of oral traditions. Kawika is connected to Waimea Valley through the bones of his kūpuna, his ancestors who once lived and thrived in this wahi pana or storied place.
Beejay Crisostomo
Ukulele Lessons
Raised on Kahuku, on O‘ahu’s North Shore, Beejay Crisostomo was born to sing, raised knowing harmony and melody, grew up around music. He is ‘a ukulele artisan and performer in Waimea Valley. His ‘ohana (family) connections to the Valley run strong and deep. He’s been playing ‘ukulele since he was 4 years old – a professional musician for the past 24 years. “Music is what connects us to each other”. BeeJay is lokomaika‘i – fair, just, and kind; a generous and benevolent soul.
Reuben Cambra
Mea kaua & makau (Hawaiian weapons-making and fishhooks)
Reuben grew up in Wahiawā, Oʻahu. He is a fourth generation descendant of an Aliʻi (chiefess) of Waimea Valley. As a child, Reuben practiced making bracelets from koa wood. Reubenʻs interest in Hawaiian weaponry began with visits to Bishop Museum, where he would study the weapons on display. Today he creates 18th century Hawaiian weaponry and makau (fish hooks). His weapons are made from niho manō (shark teeth), iwi (bone), pearl shell, swordfish bone and Hawaiian woods such as koa, kou, milo, kauwila, and ʻōhiʻa. You can find Reuben in Hale Hōʻike.
We are looking for resident artisans!
With our commitment to quality and excellence, we offer artisans an hourly rate of $40 for their skilled work. Artisans are required to work a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 10 hours per week.
Artisans are required to provide:
W9 Form
General Excise Tax
Proof of General Liability Insurance
Please email Ka'ulamealani Diamond or drop the application off at the Waimea Valley Administration Office
ʻAnoʻai me ke aloha! Waimea Valley is seeking artisans and expert botanical guides to help us share and perpetuate Hawaiʻiʻs cultural and botanical treasures.
Artisans
Create unique cultural experiences for guests at the Valley through lessons, presentations, activities, and other interactive formats. We are seeking practitioners in the following areas:
Kālai pōhaku (stone carving)
Kani ka pila (music)
Kapa (tapa making)
Kaula (rope making)
Laʻau Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian plants)
Lawaiʻa (fishing)
Lei Making
Loko iʻa; loko kuapā (fish pond)
Mahiʻai (farmers)
Mahina (moon)
Paniolo (cowboy)
Ulana (weaving)
Waʻa (canoe)
Other hana noʻeau
Botanical Guides
Lead tours or talks on Hawaiian (e.g. kalo/ awa), or on a Waimea Valley garden that matches their area of expertise. The Valleyʻs world-class botanical collections feature flora and fauna from around the world with special emphasis on Hawaiʻi.
Artisans and botanical guides are independent contractors paid hourly, working approximately 2 to 10 hours per week. Contracts are issued for a 1-year period.
Questions?
Contact Kaʻulamealani Diamond
Waimea Valley Cultural Programs Manager
(808) 638-5852, kdiamond@waimeavalley.net
