NĀ PO'E HANA NO'EAU A NĀ KUMU 'IKE

Artists, Teachers, and Knowledge Keepers

Resident Artisan Program

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 currently looking for lei makers and hale builders.

Meet Our Resident Artisans

A smiling woman holding a green palm leaf and a man standing beside her, making a gesture with his hand, in a lush, tropical environment with bamboo and greenery in the background.

Bobby Crisostomo

Ulana launiu (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!

An elderly man smiling in a lush green forest holding two traditional wooden carved clubs decorated with seashells, wearing glasses, a navy blue shirt, a black cap with a logo, and a shark tooth necklace.

Manny Mattos

Nā Mea Kaua (Hawaiian weapons-making), Hale Building/Cultural Site Maintenance

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.

A smiling man wearing a black cap and a blue patterned shirt, holding a ukulele, standing outdoors in front of green foliage.

Brandon Bajo-Daniel

‘Ukulele Demonstrations and 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.

Smiling woman with dark hair tied back, wearing patterned brown clothing and geometric earrings, sitting under a thatched roof.

Marie Cera

Nā Mea Kapa (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.

An older man with white hair and a beard, sitting outdoors at a table, playing a small wooden ukulele and smiling, surrounded by green foliage.

Terry Brown

‘Ukulele Demonstrations and Lessons

Terry Brown is from Wai‘anae , on O‘ahu’s West Side. He is a ‘ukulele teacher and performer. He began playing professionally at 13 years old, performing with Don Ho. Terry plays in the “old style”, paying homage to the legends from whom he learned. He displays and defines the Hawaiian value of akahai – to be humble, modest, and down-to-earth, having a quiet depth of character. Waimea Valley is both his stage and classroom, allowing him to share his passion for and love of the ‘ukulele.

A smiling man with a goatee and slicked-back hair, wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt with pink and light blue floral patterns, stands outdoors in front of a large tree with green leaves.

Beejay Crisostomo

‘Ukulele Demonstrations and 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.

Man demonstrating traditional craft to children at outdoor table, with women in background browsing items.

Stan Mayer III

Ulana lau niu & ulana lau hala (Coconut frond & lauhala weaving) and Pūpū (Shell art)

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.

An older woman with glasses and a purple flower in her hair is showing children how to carve wood at a table outdoors. The table has a red and yellow patterned tablecloth and various woodworking tools.

Selena Holmberg

Native Hawaiian Plants: Kukui (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.

An elderly woman with white hair working on a craft project at a table outdoors, with a yellow and black container behind her.
A man with curly hair, wearing a straw hat, a blue floral shirt, and shell necklaces, standing outdoors in a lush, green environment.

Aunty Haleaha

Ulana lau hala (lauhala weaving)

Kawika Pangelinan

Nā Mea Hawaii (Instruments, Language, Lei)

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.

An elderly woman smiling, wearing sunglasses and a straw hat decorated with purple flowers, outdoors with green foliage in the background.
An elderly man demonstrating traditional crafts for a young boy at an outdoor craft booth surrounded by greenery.

Aunty Bobbie Tate

Aunty Bobbie Tate is a kupuna (respected elder) with generational roots in Wahiawā, Central O‘ahu and Wailuku, Maui. She connects our host

culture to the people she meets in Waimea Valley through music, storytelling, hula, and the sharing of aloha. Our island culture has a unique rhythm, pace, and story that she explains and shares with perspective gained through a full life journey. Kindly inquisitive by nature, Aunty Bobbie makes learning gratifyingly interesting and agreeably entertaining, making everyone feel welcomed and loved.

Reuben Cambra

Nā Mea Kaua & makau (Hawaiian weapons), Nā Mea Lawai’a (fishing)

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.

An elderly man demonstrates traditional woodworking to two young children, a boy in a light blue shirt and a girl in a yellow dress, surrounded by adults at an outdoor cultural event.

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