Art

Item Description

What a "treasure basket" indeed! This item is an assortment of wonderful items that have been skillfully crafted by Uncle Onio Punzal of Kauai. Onio created all 7 of the following treasures using only lauhala (pandanus), ti and/or coconut palm leaves.

3 bracelets, 2 anthuriums, 1 coconut basket, and  1 Christmas ornament.

Notice the fine, traditional weaving of the treasures by a master of the disappearing art of creating items from plant materials important to Polynesians. Keep these fine craft pieces for your personal use and enjoyment, or perhaps you need some very special gifts for your family and friends for the upcoming holiday season. These wonderful treasures are infused with the spirit of aloha by Uncle Onio, a master practioner of the native Hawaiian weaving arts. 

About the Artist: Eugene “Onio” Punzal, a Kauai native, is a Cultural Weaving Practitioner at the Kauai Museum. Uncle Onio has been volunteering at the Kauai Museum for close to 9 years, when he retired, as a Concierge/Manager of Japan Affairs for PAHIO/Wyndham Resorts. As a Volunteer at the Kauai Museum, Uncle Onio, with the help of Director Chucky Boy Chock, developed an Outreach Cultural Program where he would do a free 45 minute weaving demonstration with the coconut leaf to all private and public schools on Kauai in order to promote and perpetuate the fading art of coconut weaving.

Uncle Onio is a multimedia weaving practitioner, also using Lauhala (Pandanus) and Ti Leaves. His free weaving classes are held at the Kauai Museum on Wednesdays, 1:00 – 3:30 pm.

Lauhala – pandanus tectorius
The hala tree has enormous cultural importance to Hawaiians.  The fruit of the tree can be consumed, the trunks are used for building materials, but mostly used are the beautiful long leaves that it provides.   When processed, it makes for a wonderful medium for weaving, plaiting, or braiding.

Coconut Tree Leaves – cocos nucifera
The coconut tree is considered the ‘Tree of Life” to Polynesians.  From the fruit, you can get water, milk and oil, all with lots of health benefits.  From the leaves you can make beautiful baskets, hats, trinkets, etc. 

Item Special Note

Pick Up and Shipping Information

Local pick-up is available at our Lihue office at 3343 Kanakolu St, Lihue HI
Dates and times:

Wednesday, November 13, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Friday, November 15, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Saturday, November 16, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Shipping is available anywhere in the world.

Winners are responsible for their shipping costs. Shipping information will be collected after the auction closes.

We guarantee that you will be totally satisfied by the love from the volunteers and generosity of the donors in creating this auction.

For more information email info@lawaicenter.org or text (808) 639-5952.