MNBG Calendar
2021 Workshops & Events – Updated March 2021
Pre-registration is required for all workshops. To register, email completed registration forms to info@mnbg.org. Space is limited for both in-person and virtual workshops. For in-person workshops participants will be working outdoors, masked, and distanced the entire time they are on site.
Processing Lau Hala for Ulana (Weaving) with Gail Kuba (In Person)
Saturday, April 3rd | 9am–12pm
This workshop is FULL. Email info@mnbg.org to get on the waitlist.
This hands-on class will show how to select, harvest, de-thorn, process, and cut lau hala leaves into strips for weaving. The class will end with making a simple 3-strand kūpe‘e (bracelet) and start a 5-strand to finish on your own. Gail Kuba is a retired public and private school teacher, and a weaver who has been working with lau hala since 2000. She learned from gifted Kumu like Uncle Frank Masagatani, Aunty Kuʻulei Haina of Hana, Uncle Wes Sen, and now Pohaku Kahoʻohanohano. Kuba is also a lei flower grower and lei maker, a kapa maker, and studies lāʻau lapaʻau. All these studies inform her work.
Cost: $25 for current MNBG members, $50 for new members. Click here to download a registration form.
Contemporary Coconut Weaving with Maui Grown 808 (In Person)
Saturday, April 10th | 12pm–4pm
Learn the cultural importance of the voyaging plant – Coconut. Experience working with lau niu (coconut leaves): using exercises in weave, pattern, shaping, and form, creating keepsakes to take home. Participants will also weave a modern ʻumeke (bowl) and pāpale (round top hat) with Kumu ulana niu – Mario Siatris and U’i Kahue. Responsible and sustainable gathering techniques along with preparation of the frond will also be covered so students can continue their learning journey!
Cost: $55 for current MNBG members, $80 for new members. Click here to download a registration form.
Advanced Coconut Weaving with Maui Grown 808 (In Person)
Saturday, April 24th | 12pm–4:30pm
Prerequisite for Advanced weaving is either the Contemporary or Traditional class.
This class will teach the use of the great rib in ulana niu, creating cylinders in double ring weaving and plaiting, and exploring different styles of Na Pāpale (Pikoʻole, Short/wide brims & shallow or top hats) with Kumu ulana niu Mario Siatris and Uʻi Kahue.
Cost: $65 for current MNBG members, $90 for new members. Click here to download a registration form.
Research Presentation: Hawaiian ‘Uala Varieties (Live Webinar)
Saturday, July 10th | 10am–11am
Hawaiian ‘Uala (Sweet Potato) varieties have not been extensively characterized since E.S. Handy’s archipelago-wide collections from Hawaiian farmers in the early 20th century, and the conservation status of what was likely well over 100 Hawaiian cultivars remains unclear today. A recent study titled Characterizing the Diversity of Hawai‘i Sweet Potatoes published in the Journal of Economic Botany attempts to understand, through molecular tools, the relatedness and genetic diversity of old Hawaiian cultivars of ʻuala relative to other varieties in local cultivation. In this live online presentation, Aurora
To make a reservation for a guided tour of the Gardens, to make a donation, or for more information about upcoming events, please contact us at (808) 249-2798 or email us at info@mnbg.org.
K. Kagawa-Viviani and Dr. Ted Radovitch will share the findings of their research to better understand Hawaiian ʻuala varieties using information on plant genetics and characteristics. Following the presentation, we invite audience members to join an open discussion to reflect on what this tells us about Hawaiian agricultural and cultural history and to suggest ideas to support future increased local cultivation of a diversity of ʻuala for home and commercial production. Aurora K. Kagawa-Viviani is an ecohydrology researcher on a joint project of the UH-Hilo Hawaiʻi Cooperative Studies Unit, USGS- Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, and the UH Mānoa Water Resources Research Center. Theodore J.K. Radovich, Ph.D., is an Extension Specialist, Researcher & Professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa for the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences.
Cost: Suggested donation of $10. Click here to download a registration form.
Piko Kalo with Namea Hoshino (In Person)
Saturday, July 17th | 9AM–12PM
Learn about the Piko family of kalo (taro) with Kalo Varieties Manager, Namea Hoshino. Participants will learn about the cultural uses of the Piko group of taro and identification techniques. Samples for tasting will be included.
Cost: $25 for members; $50 for new members. Click here to download a registration form.
Imu Building Workshop with Ikaika Nakahashi (In Person)
Saturday, July 31, from 10am–6pm & Sunday, August 1, from 8am–11am
This two-day, in-depth workshop will teach many aspects and benefits of cooking in an imu (traditional Hawaiian underground oven). Hands-on instruction will include how to plan, build, and cook from an imu. Imu cooking is a healthy and delicious method of food preparation that perpetuates the Hawaiian culture and sustainability.
Cost: $100 for current MNBG members, $125 for new members. Click here to download a registration form.
Kapa Dyes from Native Plants with Lisa Schattenburg-Raymond & Lei Ishikawa (Live Webinar)
Saturday, August 14th | 9am–11am
Join Lisa and Lei in a master class as they share their extensive Hawaiian dye knowledge. In this live webinar participants will take a deeper dive, with more detailed information, and new research than was provided in previous workshops. Lisa and Lei will share their innovative processing techniques and unpublished research on select plants with demonstrations on harvesting, processing, and application of the resulting dyes as well as information on natural additives and fixatives used to manipulate color. These dyes are traditional for kapa (Hawaiian barkcloth) but can also be used for other materials.
Cost: $25 for current MNBG members, $50 for new members. Click here to download a registration form.
Living Wreath Making with Native Plants (In Person)
Saturday, December 4
9AM–12PM & 1PM–4PM
Native plants provide more than just food and habitat for wildlife: they also provide great beauty all year long! Learn to make a living wreath from Native Hawaiian Plants in time for the Holidays with MNBG Executive Director, Tamara Sherrill.
Cost: $30 for members; $55 for new members.
Click here to download a registration form for the MORNING workshop.
Click here to download a registration form for the AFTERNOON workshop.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens is Closed – Good Friday Maui Nui Botanical Gardens is Closed – Good Friday Apr 2 all-day Good Friday April 2 Friday The Friday preceding Easter Sunday | Processing Lau Hala for Ulana (Weaving) with Gail Kuba (In Person) 9:00 am Processing Lau Hala for Ulana (Weaving) with Gail Kuba (In Person) Apr 3 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm This workshop is FULL. Email info@mnbg.org or call 808-249-2798 to get on the waitlist. This hands-on class will show how to select, harvest, de-thorn, process, and cut lau hala leaves... | |||||
Weed and Pot Club 8:30 am Weed and Pot Club Apr 7 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am  If you love working with native plants, you will love the Weed & Pot Club! This volunteer gardening group meets every Wednesday morning, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Spend... | Contemporary Coconut Weaving with Maui Grown 808 (In Person) 12:00 pm Contemporary Coconut Weaving with Maui Grown 808 (In Person) Apr 10 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm Learn the cultural importance of the voyaging plant – Coconut. Experience working with lau niu (coconut leaves): using exercises in weave, pattern, shaping, and form, creating keepsakes to take home.... | |||||
Weed and Pot Club 8:30 am Weed and Pot Club Apr 14 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am If you love working with native plants, you will love the Weed & Pot Club! This volunteer gardening group meets every Wednesday morning, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Spend... | ||||||
Weed and Pot Club 8:30 am Weed and Pot Club Apr 21 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am If you love working with native plants, you will love the Weed & Pot Club! This volunteer gardening group meets every Wednesday morning, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Spend... | Advanced Coconut Weaving with Maui Grown 808 (In Person) 12:00 pm Advanced Coconut Weaving with Maui Grown 808 (In Person) Apr 24 @ 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm Prerequisite for Advanced weaving is either the Contemporary or Traditional class. This class will teach the use of the great rib in ʻulana niu, creating cylinders in double ring weaving... | |||||
Weed and Pot Club 8:30 am Weed and Pot Club Apr 28 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am If you love working with native plants, you will love the Weed & Pot Club! This volunteer gardening group meets every Wednesday morning, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Spend... |
