TOMODACHI Hawaii Alumni Group Gathering


		
							
		

		
		
		
    

							
				
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Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm (HST)
Location: Papahana Kualoa (46-403 Haiku Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744)
Registration: If you have questions about this event or would like to attend, please contact Max Malmud (TOMODACHI Hawaii Regional Representative) at [email protected]. Space is limited to 20 participants, so we encourage early registration! Deadline to register is August 16.







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The TOMODACHI Hawaii Alumni Group will be hosting a special cultural experience at Papahana Kualoa in Kaneohe and would like to invite Hawaii Region members. Participants will learn about Native Hawaiian stewardship practices and take part in a hands-on lauhala bracelet weaving workshop led by master weaver Bill Keoua Nelsen, whose work has helped foster cultural exchange between Hawaii and Japan.





Join us for a unique cultural and educational experience at Papahana Kualoa, where participants will explore Native Hawaiian values, traditions, and community-based stewardship practices in one of Oʻahu’s most meaningful cultural settings.





The program will begin with a guided introduction to Papahana Kualoa’s mission, history, and ongoing work to mālama ʻāina (care for the land), followed by a tour of the site.





Participants will also take part in a hands-on lauhala bracelet weaving workshop led by Bill Keoua Nelsen, a sixth-generation weaver and Hawaiian language teacher who has shared Hawaiian cultural traditions throughout Hawaiʻi and Japan. This special workshop offers a meaningful opportunity to learn a traditional Hawaiian practice while strengthening intercultural understanding and community connections.





The event is designed to foster relationship-building, cultural appreciation, and shared learning among participants, community members, and local cultural practitioners. Following the workshop, attendees will have the option to enjoy recreational time at Papahana Kualoa’s natural ice ponds.





Please bring:





    

  • Sunscreen
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  • Water bottle
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  • Swimsuit (if planning to swim)
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  • Towel (if planning to swim)
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Please meet Regional Representative Max Malmud no later than 9:45am at the entrance to Papahana Kualoa (46-403 Haiku Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744) for our event start at 10:00am.





This is a free event with entry to Papahana Kualoa, materials for our weaving workshop, and all other expenses covered. There will be light snacks and water provided. This event has a 20 person participation limit and operates on a first-come-first-serve basis, so be sure to sign up asap to ensure your spot! The deadline to sign up for this event is August 16th, 2026.