The Oregon Historical Society (OHS) is excited to partner with KALO Hawaiian Civic Club to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month with free museum admission and a day of activities for all ages on Saturday, May 18, from 10am to 5pm! This event is also presented in partnership with Oregon Rises Above Hate, a coalition of people and organizations who seek to give voice to AANHPI communities.
In addition to educational videos and a craft corner hosted by KALO, the event will also feature two Papa Ulana Launiu (Weaving with Coconut Leaves) workshops, a traditional practice of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people. These two-hour workshops led by Maui Grown 808, LLP offer an opportunity for community members to learn about the artwork, its history, and its meaning from artists traveling to Oregon from Lahaina, Maui. Maui Grown 808, LLP are artists Aunty Ui and Uncle Mario of Lahaina, Maui. Each participant will leave with a beautiful, new hat.
These workshops cost $25 to attend ($20 for OHS members) and are open to all people ages twelve and older. Pre-registration is recommended and can be done online at ohs.org/ulana.
Schedule of Events
10:15am
Oli and Opening Protocol
An oli is an Indigenous Hawaiian chant that is a traditional way to begin Hawaiian events.
10:30am–12:30pm
Ulana Workshop 1
11am–3pm
Keiki Corner Crafts
All attendees are invited to take part in keiki (child) crafts especially geared towards visitors under 12 who are not eligible for the Ulana workshops.
12:30pm–1:30pm
Educational Videos
Attendees will have the opportunity to watch educational videos about Hawaiian history and culture to connect the past to the events of the day.
1:30pm–3:30pm
Ulana Workshop 2
Native Hawaiians were among the earliest outsiders in present-day Oregon. The future state’s first resource to be exploited by outsiders was animal pelts, highly valued for trimming garments and making hats. Prevailing winds meant that ships heading to Oregon for that purpose routinely stopped in the Hawaiian Islands, also known as the Sandwich Islands. To learn more about this history, read “Hawaiians in the Oregon Country,” an entry on The Oregon Encyclopedia by Jean Barman and Bruce McIntyre Watson.
