Courtesy KALO Hawaiian Civic Club

Portland, OR — The Oregon Historical Society (OHS) is excited to partner with KALO Hawaiian Civic Club to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month with free museum admission and a day of activities for all ages on Saturday, May 18, from 10am to 5pm! This event is also presented in partnership with Oregon Rises Above Hate, a coalition of people and organizations who seek to give voice to AANHPI communities. 

In addition to educational videos and a craft corner hosted by KALO, the event will also feature two Papa Ulana Launiu (Weaving with Coconut Leaves) workshops, a traditional practice of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people. These two-hour workshops led by Maui Grown 808, LLP offer an opportunity for community members to learn about the artwork, its history, and its meaning from artists traveling to Oregon from Lahaina, Maui. Maui Grown 808, LLP are artists Aunty Ui and Uncle Mario of Lahaina, Maui. Each participant will leave with a beautiful, new hat.

These workshops cost $25 to attend ($20 for OHS members) and are open to all people ages twelve and older. Pre-registration is recommended and can be done online at ohs.org/ulana.

Schedule of Events

10:15am
Oli and Opening Protocol
An oli is an Indigenous Hawaiian chant that is a traditional way to begin Hawaiian events.

10:30am–12:30pm
Ulana Workshop 1

11am–3pm
Keiki Corner Crafts
All attendees are invited to take part in keiki (child) crafts especially geared towards visitors under 12 who are not eligible for the Ulana workshops. 

12:30pm–1:30pm
Educational Videos 
Attendees will have the opportunity to watch educational videos about Hawaiian history and culture to connect the past to the events of the day.

1:30pm–3:30pm
Ulana Workshop 2

Native Hawaiians were among the earliest outsiders in present-day Oregon. The future state’s first resource to be exploited by outsiders was animal pelts, highly valued for trimming garments and making hats. Prevailing winds meant that ships heading to Oregon for that purpose routinely stopped in the Hawaiian Islands, also known as the Sandwich Islands. To learn more about this history, read “Hawaiians in the Oregon Country,” an entry on The Oregon Encyclopedia by Jean Barman and Bruce McIntyre Watson.

About the Oregon Historical Society

For nearly 125 years, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and complex as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view. 
 

About KALO Hawaiian Civic Club

Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekona Hawaiian Civic Club of Oregon & SW Washington (KALO HCC) is a local 501(c)3 organization located in Beaverton, Oregon. KALO HCC strives to actively participate in the promotion, perpetuation, and practice of the Native Hawaiian culture and values by advocating and elevating the voices of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities through cultural practices and educational opportunities. KALO HCC is housed at the AloHā Resource & Community Center (ARCC), which is an inclusive space for anyone in the community to enjoy. KALO HCC has a Community Pantry & Clothing Closet, both free services, as well as multiple workspaces/meeting areas with free Wi-Fi. The ARCC is open every weekday from 10am to 5pm.