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Welcome to Feather Traditions … a collection of Hawaiian feather lei created by Nikki Kalanimalie Ty-Tomkins. Over twenty-five years ago, Kalanimalie began working with feathers under the tutelage of the legendary Aunty Mary Lou Kekuewa. It was an accidental meeting which began with a search for a few feathers at Na Mili Lima Hulu No’eau and blossomed into a passion for this ancient Hawaiian art. Over the years, constantly encouraged by Aunty Mary Lou and her daughter, Paulette Kahalepuna, Kalanimalie began to experiment with designs borrowed from her own Indian tradition.
“My Kupuna were both so encouraging every time I tried something new …” says Kalanimalie. “I remember trying out the ‘tweed’ which mixed many colored feathers at random and being rather nervous about it. Then I added elaborate ‘stations’ along the length of the humu papa. Each time I tried some variant I dreaded being told I was breaking some rules. And each time both kumus smiled and urged me on. It was wonderful! “
Today Kalanimalie celebrates the evolution of her beloved art as she tried new combinations of color, cuts and feathers. Her signature finials for her “kamoe” lei are unique polymer beads which she creates individually to enclose the ribbon closures. Each lei is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity and is carefully archived.
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