Born: Waiohai, Kona, Big Island of Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Gourd Carving - Apprentice

"Gourd carving is Hawaiian culture and it’s preserving your heritage…you have to bring out the actual beauty of the gourd, by carving it all around into different patterns that the Hawaiians used to use."

Hawaiian gourds were once a part of everyday life in Hawai‘i. Gourds were used for storing food and water. Teaching the art of growing and decorating gourds requires great patience and skill. Today a few artists, like master artist Olivia Sing, are reviving the knowledge of the gourd grower. Some gourds were designed to be played as musical instruments. You would be surprised at all the different tools, natural dyes, and methods artists use to carve and add color to the gourd!