Mānoa Heritage Center

In-Depth Hawaiian Gourd & Instrument Seminar with B. Ka‘imiloa Chrisman, M.D. 

SAT APR 5 2025

Morning Session (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) 

This special presentation is especially for current Hula practitioners and others interested in ipu (Hawaiian gourds) and hula instruments. Thus, we are happy to invite the general public to join us in the first part of the day, including a light lunch.

$20 - (includes light bento lunch**, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

Join Ka‘imiloa Chrisman, M.D., long-time cultural practitioner and teacher for an engaging presentation about the instruments of Hula Kahiko, including some focus on Ipu Heke (two-piece gourd drum). Ka‘imiloa, who resurrected the nearly lost Hawaiian ipu (gourd), will also share and teach all about Hawai‘i's superb gourds, recognizing them and their seeds, growing them and preserving them. 

He will briefly touch on the Hawaiian worldview of ipu and his experience crafting highly traditional ipu heke instruments. There will be time for questions at the lunch break.

*Due to a wonderful response and the fact that we have limited parking, participants are strongly encouraged to either carpool or get dropped off.  Once our parking lot is full, overflow will need to find street parking.  This can be found on Hillside Avenue, off Cooper Road, or Ka‘aipu Avenue off of O'ahu Avenue. 

**For planning purposes we cannot provide bento lunch for any participants who register after March 29.  Mahalo for your understanding!

This special presentation is made possible with funding provided by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Kūkulu Ola Program.  

Ipu Heke: Form and Function and especially Making (plus other instruments) with B. Ka‘imiloa Chrisman, M.D. 

SAT APR 5 2025

Afternoon session (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm)

This one-of-a-kind presentation is especially for Kumu Hula, their Alaka‘i and their Hālau artisans – those most likely to use and pass on this knowledge. 

Complimentary 

*For planning purposes we are unable to provide a complimentary bento lunch for anyone registering after March 29.  Mahalo for your understanding. 

Ka‘imiloa will speak on the making of various instruments of Hula Kahiko, but with a special focus on Ipu Heke, which is often made rather simplistically today. Participants are encouraged to bring their ipu heke for discussion.  Powerpoint teaching will maximize the learning time, and topics will include why true Hawaiian ipu are so much better than some from growers on the Continent. The how and why will be shown of matching the ipu pair, preserving the ipu beforehand, smoothing the inside, precise joining, fitting a fixed handle to the lower ipu, hole size of both ipu, crafting of a 3-piece Ipu Heke, and sewn-on top as an option. There will be time for questions on any cultural topic at the end. 

Ka‘imiloa will also share a Hawaiian worldview of ipu and tell of his long experience crafting traditional ipu heke and studying old ones in museums and photographs from the past. 

*Due to a wonderful response and the fact that we have limited parking, participants are strongly encouraged to either carpool or get dropped off.  Once our parking lot is full, overflow will need to find street parking.  This can be found on Hillside Avenue, off Cooper Road, or Ka‘aipu Avenue off O'ahu Avenue. 

This special presentation is made possible with funding provided by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Kūkulu Ola Program.  

Love Songs and Lei Making 

SAT MAY 10, 1 pm - 3 pm 

$50 per person, harp concert, followed by lei-making workshop

In partnership with Ocean Music Action, we are excited to offer a concert of beautiful harp music paired with a lei-making class. This event allows audiences to connect through music and then by learning or further developing a hands-on skill.  Lei-making encourages mindfulness, gratitude, and connection to our natural world. Participants are invited to engage in this joyful experience, creating a handmade and sustainable gift to share with a loved one. A perfect workshop for you and your mom! 

The musical program will feature harpist Megan Conley performing a selection of songs inspired by the beauty, magic, and love of Mother Earth. Lei-making will be led by artist and MHC garden and education team member Lilia Lorenzo. 

Limited to 12 participants.