Instructor: Master Hawaii Artisan Umi Kai
Type of Class: Hawaiian Traditional Craftsmanship
Location: 2nd floor DAC Classroom
When: Saturday, October 10 from 9am-12pm
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: 18+
Price: $140 per person
Supplies: $45 per kit (cash or Venmo paid direct to instructor, due at time of class)
Description:
A Niho Oki is a traditional Hawaiian utility knife used for carving smaller items, cutting cordage, and shaving and gutting fish and animals. It's typically made with a wooden handle and a shark's tooth blade.
Each kit includes a precut, pre-drilled, and grooved wooden handle; a tiger shark tooth for the blade; and cordage to lace the tooth onto the handle. You'll also have access to a rasp file for shaping the handle and three grits of sandpaper for finishing. As is traditional, we'll finish the piece with coconut oil.
Students must purchase a kit at the beginning of class via cash or Venmo paid directly to the instructor. The cost of each kit is $45 (regular price is $55 each).
About the Instructor:
Gordon Umialiloalahanauokalakaua King Kai, known as Umi, was born and raised in Kaimuki, Oʻahu.
He is the sixth of seven children of Douglas A.W. Kai of Waiohinu, Moku o Hawaiʻi, and Rachel K. King of Waimea, Moku o Hawaiʻi.
He received his B.S. degree in Marketing from Chaminade University of Honolulu.
He has been married for 48 years to Janice Leinaʻala Lua of Laʻie. Together they have three sons, one daughter, and 14 grandchildren.
He worked in, and later retired from, the Visitor Industry after 49 years.
In 1967, while in high school, Umi began his journey of making Hawaiian implements. He has worked on projects for the Bishop Museum, Peabody Museum, Cook Museum, Hula Museum in Japan, and many private collectors of Hawaiian artifacts.
Umi works with wood, stone, gourds, coral, bone, antler, horn, wire, and cordage. Some of these materials are gathered on hikes throughout the islands, and sometimes from friends. Others are offered as materials for trade or as part of a commissioned piece.
He tries to stay as close as he can to using traditional materials and designs, but with many traditional materials being endangered or difficult to obtain, he sometimes needs to use substitutes that are as close as possible.
He currently serves as President of Aha Kane; Olohe Lua of Pa Kui A Lua; Kupuna of Hale Mua o Kualii; and Member of Nalehua Kumakua.
Image courtesy of the instructor