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“Wayfinding Community-Campus Vā" is mixed-media collection that, “imagines how an ‘oceanic orientation’ promotes cultural education, sustains community relationships and engagements, and advances social justice. With a basis in the ancient foundation of Austronesian language families, Vā is ‘connecting space’ that link islands and ocean together as an interconnected worldview.”

This event marked ʻUmeke’s first community food distribution, based on the principle of laulima, where many hands work together for the benefit of all. In collaboration with the San Diego North County Lions Club and with the help of our amazing volunteers, we successfully served around 25 families! Special mahalo nui to KHOI hula for organizing a food drive that enhanced the distribution, and to the numerous community members who contributed with generosity and trust. The c

Lei Aloha Series to teach our community about the significance behind the lei.

Students have been able to learn basic chords, strumming, and fundamentals to provide a foundation to play an array of mele (songs). We mahalo  @sdapicoalition , California Department of Social Services and  @apida_csusm  for making this program possible and accessible to our community.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible instructor, Kumu Hulu Carol Wong, for sharing her ‘Ike and passion for this truly special Hawaiian tradition. Her guidance and patience brought a new appreciation for the art of hulu! Kumu Hulu Carol Makani Wong is an expert in the traditional craft of hulu (featherwork). A kāhili, a ceremonial standard made of feathers, symbolizes royalty and status and is used in religious and ceremonial contexts to signify the authority of aliʻi.

Hana maikaʻi to all the students for making the lauhala weaving bracelet workshop a tremendous success! Your enthusiasm and creativity brought a wonderful energy to the workshop, and it was truly inspiring to see everyone’s unique creations come to life. We appreciate the dedication and skill of Aunty Kaleo, who guided us through the intricate art of lauhala weaving with such patience and expertise. Mahalo for being a part of this special experience and for perpetuating this

Mahalo to all that came out to kākoʻo our first holiday wreath workshop! This year, our instructor Tiffany Māhealani taught attendees the art of weaving lau niu (coconut frond), including a bit of history on coconut palms and its significance in Hawaiian culture. With an assortment of floral and fauna to add to the completed wreath, it was such fun to see the end result of each individualʻs creativity!

What a wonderful time we had sharing hula performances and teaching lei-making with the guests of Vista Library. Mahalo to the Friends of the Vista Library for having us, we are unable to do work in the community without supporters like you!

In an exciting community partnership with Oceanside's MacAuliffe Elementary School, UMEKE will be engaging with local cultural practitioners to provide choral music education accompanied by hula and ʻukulele, funded by  Chorus America's Music Education Grant . This project identifies the significant Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) population in the Oceanside area and aims to foster NHPI identity and  cross-cultural learning to create equity across all populations.

We were honored to present a history of hula and hands-on crafts for the San Diego County Library Fallbrook branch's Hawaiian Cultural Experience  event. Mahalo to the  Friends of the Fallbrook Library  for sponsoring this event.