By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
The Na Hana Lima hui in Waianae features the work
of Paul Drew, pictured above, and eight other area
artists.

Waianae hui
a haven for
Leeward artists

By Cynthia Oi
Star-Bulletin

Hana hou, Na Hana Lima.

The Waianae artists hui is celebrating because it has survived "a whole year in business," said spokesperson Kehaulani Tehotu.

The hui opened its 1,500-square-foot shop in Waianae Mall right before last fall's holiday season with start-up money from the Waianae Business Center. Since then, the hui has managed to keep the store's doors open, make some improvements and pay its bills, Tehotu said.

By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
A fimo lei by Kehaulani Tehotu.

Na Hana Lima's success has been exciting. "We bought a cash register!" Tehotu said. "We have a phone with the voice mail. We paid our rent for the whole year -- that's $300 a month for 12 months!"

Na Hana Lima was organized to help Waianae artisans showcase their work at a permanent location and to lure art lovers and shoppers to the Leeward Coast.

The artists staff the store themselves and running the business hasn't been easy, Tehotu said. Four of the original 13 members have left the hui. Two didn't have enough time to produce work consistently; two others left because of personality clashes. "You know how it is with the artists," Tehotu said.

"We're still learning to manage the business end," she said, and the hui may hire a manager to handle those matters.

By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Raku vases are the work of Birgitta Frazier.

Hui members sell ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, T-shirts and other clothing, kapa, baskets, lamps, quilts, painting and holiday decorations.

Most customers are local people, mainly from the leeward area, she said. "When they need something for a birthday or graduation, the local people buy here," Tehotu said.

The hui is still working on expanding its customer base. Tehotu recently spent several weeks on the mainland networking with other artists' co-ops and going to craft shows and fairs. The hui is working on a web site to sell its wares on line.

The artists remain optimistic, Tehotu said.

"We have our ups and downs, but more ups than downs."

Happy birthday What: Na Hana Lima anniversary celebration with all hui artists, entertainment by Kroon and refreshments When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 11 Where: Waianae Mall store; business hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays Also: Canned food donations will be taken for needy Waianae Coast families

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