Lei hulu on exhibit at Lyman Museum in Hilo

HILO, Hawaii: A look at the special annual exhibit at the Lyman Museum in Hilo, and a special lady.

For the past seven years, Aunty Doreen Henderson and her students, collectively known as Lei Hulu of Hilo, have delighted Lyman Museum visitors with a colorful display of feather masterpieces such as lei hulu, kahili, `uli`uli, `ahu`ula, and mahiole.

In celebration of Lei Day, the artists returned with an exhibition complete with daily demonstrations by these cultural practitioners. And this year, our camera joined them for a brief visit.

Aunty Doreen has dedicated her life to the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian featherwork and has been practicing the art for over 30 years. She took the time to show us around the exhibit, and told us the stories behind the cultural works.

The Hilo native studied under Master Kumu Mary Kahihilani Kovitch, a student of Aunty Mary Lou Kekuewa – who is considered one of the foremost featherwork teachers in Hawaii. Henderson herself went on to found Lei Hulu of Hilo.

There is still time to see the featherwork of these masters. The exhibit runs through May 12, 2012.