Professional Development
Kaulana Mahina workshops are rooted in ʻIke Kūpuna, ancestral knowledge, and the ways our kūpuna understood the relationship between the mahina, the plants, the ʻāina, and our daily practices.
In addition to our Mahina workshops, we now offer hands-on plant-based workshops including wreath making, lei making, and floral arrangement workshops. These workshops are a fun and meaningful way to learn, apply, and carry forward cultural knowledge through practice.
These workshops are perfect for schools, organizations, and professional development days. They give kumu and participants the opportunity to learn in a hands-on way, create something beautiful, and walk away with ideas they can bring back into their classrooms and communities.
Mahina Workshops
2 Hour Workshop: This workshop touches on the practice of kilo (observation), the moon phases and the patterns the mahina follows.
3 Hour Workshop: This workshop is an overview to the foundational concepts about the mahina and how it correlates to fishing or farming.
5 Hour Workshop: This workshop covers the foundational concepts about the mahina plus takes a deep dive into how the mahina affects the tides and different fishing styles. It also covers how the mahina affects the plants and the times for planting and harvesting.
Workshop Fees:
2 Hour Workshop $1500
½ Day Workshop (3 hours) $2000
Full Day Workshop (5 hours) $3000
Plus $40 Mahina Workbook per participant
*Travel fees will be added to the price of the workshop for workshops outside of Hilo or Puna on Hawaiʻi Island.*
Online Mahina Workshops
Online workshops are 1 hour in length and can be done in one or several sessions. Information shared will build upon what was taught in the previous workshop.
1 Workshop: This workshop touches on the practice of kilo (observation), the moon phases and the patterns the mahina follows.
3 Workshops: These sessions will include everything in the first workshop plus going deeper into the rising times, how the shape of the mahina is made and how it relates to either fishing or farming.
5 Workshops: These sessions will include everything in the previous workshops plus going deeper into how it relates to fishing and farming.
Online Workshop Fees:
1 Workshop $600
3 Workshop Sessions $1500
5 Workshop Sessions $2750
Plus $40 Mahina Workbook per participant
Supporting Materials
Kaulana Mahina 1 per classroom
Kāleka Pō Mahina 1 per classroom
ʻAlemanaka Kumu Highly suggested for PreK-4
*Materials not included in workshop price
Wreath Making Workshops
Our wreath workshops are offered from October through December and are especially popular during the holiday season.
Participants will create a wreath using an 8-inch base while learning about the plants being used, their traditional and practical uses, harvesting protocol, and how the mahina can guide the best times for gathering plant materials.
We provide all materials, instruction, and the educational component.
Length: 2 hours
Cost: $70 per person
Maximum: 40 participants
Availability: October–December
Booking Note: Holiday dates fill quickly. We recommend booking during the summer to secure your preferred date.
Lei Making Workshops
Our lei workshops are a hands-on way to learn different styles of lei making while connecting to plant knowledge, gathering practices, and cultural protocol.
Wili-Style Lei Poʻo Workshop
Participants will learn the wili style of lei making and create a lei poʻo.
Length: 2 hours
Cost: $60 per person
Hilo-Style Lei Lāʻī with Rosette
Participants will learn to make a Hilo-style (twist) tī leaf lei with a tī leaf rosette.
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $40 per person
Maile-Style Lei Lāʻī
Participants will learn to make a maile-style tī leaf lei. For this workshop, participants bring 10 tī leaves for their lei.
Starting Cost: $40 per person
Length: 2 hours
Kui-Style Lei with Orchids
Participants will learn the kui (sew) style of lei making using orchids. Flower selections can be adjusted based on your preference, with any additional flower costs added to the workshop price.
Starting Cost: $40 per person
Length: 45 minutes
Poke Pua Floral Arrangement Workshop
This shorter workshop is a fun, creative option for schools, staff gatherings, and holiday events. Participants will create small floral arrangements in cute mugs or buckets while learning about the different plants and flowers being used.
This is also a great holiday workshop, especially when seasonal plants are included.
Length: 30 minutes
Cost: $40 per person
Bring a Workshop to Your School or Organization
Mahalo for your interest in booking a workshop!
Our hands-on workshops are designed to be fun, educational, and practical. Participants do not just sit and listen—they create, learn, and leave with something they made, along with knowledge they can continue to share.
To book a workshop, please reach out early, especially for holiday wreath workshops, as dates fill quickly.
Email haunani@kiikalo.com with your preferred dates and type of workshop. Looking forward to hearing from you!
DOE vendor #1002659