Lauhala Hat

Steps 1-2

Steps:

1. Gather the leaves and clean them.

2. Shave the leaves with a small knife to remove the thorns.

Step 3

3. Soften the leaves by rolling them through a pasta machine.

Steps 4-5

4. Cut the leaves 18" to 20" long.

5. Cut the leaves into 1/8" wide strips with a homemade stripper.

Steps 6-7

6. Lay out the center of the hat (called "piko" in Hawaiian) and begin weaving.

7. Weave and add strands until the weaving forms a dinner plate size oval (called "pa" in Hawaiian).

Step 8

8. Tie the "pa" to a wooden hat block with string and begin weaving on the hat block to form the shape of the hat.

Step 9

9. When you have woven the desired size of the crown, weave in a string to allow adjustment of hat size.

Step 10

10. Begin weaving the brim of the hat.

Step 11

11. Add additional strips and weave the brim until desired size is obtained. Different weave patterns produce different motifs on the crown and the brim.

Step 12

12. Complete the brim, remove the hat from the wooden hat form and trim all excess strands.

Steps 13-14

13. To shape the hat, spray it with water and use a hot iron and hat form to shape the hat.

14. Decorate the Lauhala hat with shells, feathers or a fresh flower lei (garland).

Michael Nahoopii is a proud native Polynesian Hawaiian, who takes his heritage and culture to heart. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy. He was stationed on a very small Hawaiian island called Kahoolawe where he served as the liaison between the Hawaiian natives and the navy. He and his friends formed a Hawaiian club, where they practice their Hawaiian crafts and compete in traditional dance competitions.

E-mail: mnahoopii@hawaii.rr.com