Watercolor Painting Kit Instructions

Video Instructions:

This video is from an earlier rendition of the painting kit. Some of the supplies have evolved, but the information is still the same and the techniques applied.

What Each Design Represents:

	Pua Aloalo - This is the Native Hawaiian hibiscus. Most of the hibiscus you see today are not this variety, but thanks to efforts in the community these flowers are coming back! Another word for this flower is also kokio. These flowers have a number of varieties in size and color. Ask yourself what kind of hibiscus you're looking at the next time you see one in Hawaii.
	This design features a hand drawn lei made up of all Native Hawaiian species of plants namely: kookoolau, kupukupu fern, palapalai fern, pukiawe berries, and liko lehua from ohia trees. When was the last time you saw a lei made of all Native flowers?? Sadly this is becoming more and more difficult since native plant sources have been destroyed by development or depleted for commercial use.
	We love ulu at Kaulumaika! Ulu is a Polynesian Introduced tree to Hawaii meaning it was brought by the first Hawaiian voyagers and grown for its fruits. Ulu fruits are a staple in Hawaii and today there are many modern ways to cook and eat it making it a very sustainable food source in Hawaii.
	"Mai poina ia'u" means "Don't forget me" in Hawaiian. This design is saying to all of us - "Don't forget Native Hawaiian plants!" In the design is the following plants: ohia lehua, mamane, palapalai, hinahina, pohinahina, and aalii. All of these chosen because they span the colors of the rainbow.
	Queen Liliuokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii. A wise and regal wahine who led the people of Hawaii through a very difficult political time in history. She gave up the government for a period of time to the US when they illegally landed their troops on Hawaiian soil in 1893. This act not only saved the shed of blood, but also preserved the kingdom of Hawaii, which still exists till this day.
	Lei Kalaunu - known in english as a lei of crown flowers. Said to be a favorite of Queen Liliuokalani, this flower is not native to Hawaii, but has become a local favorite for its use in lei. These trees are often planted at schools because they become nesting sites for monarch butterflies.
	Haloa - Hawaiians have a deep connection to kalo because we believe that kalo sprouted from the grave of the firstborn Hawaiian, Haloa-na-ka-lau-kapalili. From the corm to the top of the leaf this plant can be eaten with the midsection saved to produce new plants. In this way, we are literally planting the same kalo that has grown from the kalo of our ancestors.
	Hana, Maui - This is a design of the beautiful Hana bay in Maui, looking at Kauiki, where Queen Kaahumanu was born. Hana is not only home to beautiful people and land, but also to a rich cultural heritage. If you ever go to Hana or anywhere in Hawaii, be respectful of the place you visit and remember that you are only a visitor.
	Everyone comes to Hawaii for the beaches, but can they name any of the native plants that grow on them? This design is of three plants that you can find on the shorlines of Hawaii namely: pohinahina, pohuehue, and naupaka.
	"Nani ke Kalo" is a saying in Hawaiian that means, "kalo is beautiful". One interpretation of this sentiment is we should look at kalo and ourselves with love and respect. This is a sentiment that the world today needs to repeat more often.
	Na lei no Kona - These three lei make up this design because of their significant to Kailua-Kona. The top lei is of a melia flower that is almost 200 years old from a tree that has been cared for by a family with deep roots in Kona. The second lei is a lei of hala for Ruth Keelikolani who passed away on her Hulihee property in Kona. The final lei is of ilima, a beautiful and delicate lei that takes 1000 flowers to make.
	This design is of some of our favorite native flowers! In the design is hau, ilima, kokio, kooloa ula, pua kala, and ohia lehua. These flowers showcase the beauty and variety of flowers and people found in Hawaii.

 

Samples of Painted Kits: