Accent on Hawaii

Two Kalihi women publish a book that gives scrapbookers tips on creating pages that convey an island feeling

An entire craft industry has emerged to supply accessories for the universal world of scrapbookers. But when your memories are made-in-Hawaii, sometimes you really need a honu, or a plumeria, or maybe a petroglyph, to make that page perfect.

Classes Call 236-0800 for to reserve a spot. Classes are held at Creative Native Crafts, 46-174-F Kahuhipa St. in Kaneohe. "Mini Kalikimaka Scrapbook": 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 11. Create a mini Hawaiian accordion style scrapbook. $10. "Seasons of Aloha": 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 19. Create a complete island-themed album with layouts for each month of the year. $25.

These days, that's as easy as buying a book.

Bella Finau-Faumuina and Delia Parker-Ulima started with a home business selling scrapbook materials with a local flair.

"We had a storage facility, our living room was filled with boxes and we even had stuff at our parent's home," said Finau-Faumuina.

Then they opened a shop, Creative Native Crafts in Kaneohe. And now they've published a book, created with the local scrapper in mind -- or anyone that wants their pages to look Hawaiian.

Each section of "Island Memories: Hawaiian-Style Scrapbooking and Idea Book" provides a mini history lesson, an insight into local culture, said Finau-Faumuina.

The two women were raised in Kalihi and attended Kamehameha Schools together. The topics in their book cover island celebrations, food, lifestyle, beauty and legacies. "Because we are native Hawaiian women, we feel the responsibility of coming up with something authentic."

Finau-Faumuina considers herself the family historian. "I've always been a journal writer and keep memories for all my family members," she said. Because of her desire to preserve memories, she was drawn to scrapbooking.

Parker-Ulima shares that sense of history. She's kept a journal since age 10. "I don't like clutter, but keepsakes are important to me," she said.

The scrapbook industry has grown incredibly since the 1990's, but the main premise never changes, explained Parker-Ulima. "It's a means of keeping personal and family history and passing it down. It is timeless."

Mutual Publishing approached them while shopping around for authors and artists for the book. Such a project was not in their immediate plans, Finau-Faumuina said, but it turned out to be a "labor of love."

They accepted the deal and finished the product in a few short months.

"We wanted to make sure we included all of the basic things every scrapper should know. Many people are scrapbook savvy and get inspiration from samples," she said.

Supply lists are included, with instructions, so the newcomer can duplicate the designs. Each page demonstrates a different technique.

Scrapbooking is no longer just about gluing some photographs on paper, said Parker-Ulima. Embellishments are endless -- from stickers and die-cuts to beads, metal, fibers and buttons. Embellishments don't necessarily need to be elaborate.

"You don't need all the extra stuff, just the basics like adhesive, a good pair of scissors and archival paper and pen. We use many of our own items. It doesn't need to be things bought at a scrapbook store," added Finau-Faumuina.

"Women that get into this hobby want to have the latest things available," she added. "It gets expensive."

The main concern is that the photographs have meaning and sentiment. People can do whatever tickles their fancy. It doesn't matter how it looks, it is personal to the creator, said Parker-Ulima.

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