Hana Cultural Center's
Hale Noa Pili Mai Program
Participate in the Hawaiian Renaissance
Come help us rebuild our Hale Noa (sleeping house)
This year the Cultural Center is offering a unique opportunity to participate in Hawaiian culture by assisting in the rebuilding of the Cultural Center’s Hale Noa through our “Hale Noa Pili Mai” program. The program’s name has meaning on many levels. The English translation of “Hale Noa Pili Mai” is “The house to sleep and bring together”. “Pili” grass was also the most common material for thatching hales in ancient Hawaii. “Pili Mai” was also a phrase used in Hawaiian songs about lovers.Hāna Cultural Center’s “Kauhale O Hāna” is the only complete replica of a pre-European contact Hawaiian home site in the State of Hawaii. HCC’s Hale Noa Pili Mai will be the only known sleeping house in the State. The original Hale Noa, built in 1996, was thatched with more than 300,000 ti leaves. In late 2004, it had to be disassembled because of material deterioration. The Hale Noa was one of the gems in our guided tours. Visitors were fascinated by it’s unique architectural qualities –especially it’s low entrance.
In the program you will experience varied aspects of hale building through hands on simulated models and/or work on our hale noa pili mai depending on the building stage. All applicants will be accepted as there will be activity for different levels of physical ability (please contact Ulani regarding children). The cost for a three day, hands on seminar is $375.00. The 2006 seminar dates are: April 7-8-9 , May 19-20-21, July 14-15-16 and August 4-5-6. Scholarships are available
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: In September 2003 the first class in over 100 years of hale kahiko builders graduated. Ulani Combo was one of nine students to graduate as an Indigenous Architect and the only women to date in Hawaiian Culture. Master Builder Francis Palani Sinenci’s certified, hale building course was a college level program. Kumu Sinenci pioneered the introduction of building codes for indigenous architecture in the State of Hawaii . Previous to his effort, it was illegal to construct hale in Hawaii! Builder Ulani Combo has worked on hale on both Maui and Oahu. In ancient times, her family helped build the Piilani Heiau. Located in Hāna, it is the largest temple in the State of Hawaii. She was the original Hawaiian Cultural Adviser for the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort. Ulani encourages anyone interested in perpetuating the art of Hale Kahiko building for future generations to pili mai...come together….bring your heart!
Want to know more about the Hale Noa Pili Mai Program? Please contact Hale Kahiko Builder, Ulani Combo:
Email: hccm@aloha.net
Partially funded by the County of Maui & the Hawaii Tourism Authority