Ipu-Making Workshop Photos: Honoring Tradition by the Sea

See more photos of the Ipu-Making Workshop below.

The Oni Foundation recently sponsored a unique Ipu-making workshop, led by one of our dedicated dancers and Cultural Ambassadors in training, Pohaku. Participants spent a sunny day at the beach learning the traditional Hawaiian method of preparing gourds to become beautiful Ipu, essential instruments in hula and cultural performance.

Using centuries-old techniques, the group washed the gourds in sea water and smoothed their exteriors with wet sand—an age-old practice passed down through generations. They then carefully cut the tops and removed the seeds, beginning the transformation from raw gourd to cherished instrument.

Back at our Wonderful World of Aloha center, the participants completed the process by sanding the surfaces smooth and applying lacquer to give each Ipu a polished, performance-ready finish.

After hours of hands-on work, the group proudly showcased their creations—each one a symbol of patience, respect, and cultural connection. They later brought them to life in their next performance, filled with a newfound appreciation for the traditional methods behind this ancient art.