White ginger blossoms made up my very first design. Learning how to cut the amberlith from my friend David Hormann, I chose the ginger because I wanted to make a tee shirt for my girlfriend Nalani… Recently, the white ginger at Waiau began blooming. The blossoms in the early morning sunlight reminded me of the place where I would often take Nalani when she would come to visit me in Honolulu. It was at the base of the Ko`olau Mountains in Manoa Valley. There was a swimming hole next to a small farm of white ginger and gardenias. The name of the river was Waiakeakua. The cut of these flower designs are a reflection of time. They honor the years that Nalani and I have been together. They also share an intimate respect for both the fragile blooms and my desire to express a peaceful form.

The Punahoa is an updated version of the Oe coin purse. It measures in just a smidge bigger at 5.38" long X 4" tall and features top stitching along the edges as well as a streamlined zippered closure. Toss in the essentials: credit cards, a few dollar bills, perhaps some change for the meter or that tube of lipstick! Great for brightening up your purse ... and your day. Punahoa is a small `ahupua`a that runs from Hilo bay front to Kuku`au `ili.