Gladys Grace (Native Hawaiian), Honolulu, Hawai'i
Gladys Grace, born in South Kona, Hawai'i, learned to weave as a child by watching her grandmother who traded weavings for groceries during the Depression years. Gladys, acknowledged as a master kumu, has been instrumental in teaching and passing on weaving knowledge to younger generations through such programs as the Hawaiian Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program and the Ulana Me Ka Lokomaika'i weaving organization on Oahu. Gladys is known especially for her extraordinary hats.

Edwin T. Kaneko (Japanese and Native Hawaiian descent), Holualoa, Hawai'i
Ed Kaneko grew up on a coffee farm in Kona and learned to weave lauhala [pandanus] at age six to help his parents in their side business. Today, retired from an aviation engineering career, Ed enjoys teaching weaving hats, participating in a weaving group, running a small coffee farm, and volunteering at the Kona Historical Museum.

Gwendolyn Kamisugi (Native Hawaiian), Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawai'i
Gwen Kamisugi took classes in weaving at the Kamehameha School in 1970, but considers Gladys Grace and Molly Dupree, with whom she started instruction in 1975, as her kumus (master teachers). Gwen, a member of the Ulana Me Ka Lokomaika'i weaving club, is now passing her skills on to others. She weaves purses, baskets, and hats (her special love) as a way of preserving the culture behind the weaving.

Sabra Kauka (Native Hawaiian), Lihu'e, Kaua'i, Hawai'i
Sabra Kauka is a journalist-turned-educator and activist who is committed to the perpetuation of Native Hawaiian language, traditions, and art, including the weaving of lauhala [pandanus]. She coordinates and plans training for all Hawaiian studies teachers in Kaua'i and pursues her keen interest in ethnobotany as the Hawaiian culture specialist for the Garden Island Resource Conservation & Development, Inc. She coordinated a gathering of Native Hawaiian basket weavers in 2004.

Marques Hanalei Marzan (Native Hawaiian), Kane'ohe, Hawai'i
Marques Marzan's journey as a weaver began as a youth with teacher Minewa Ka'awa at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu in 1995. As a cultural collections technician at the Bishop, he now studies the museum's collections of woven items made from many materials including lauhala [pandanus]. Today Marques is especially interested in reproducing historical items made with indigenous materials.

Michael K. Naho'opi'i (Native Hawaiian), Honolulu, Hawai'i
Michael Naho'opi'i, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and an engineer by profession, is an ardent student of and participant in traditional Hawaiian cultural practices. He is a master of hula and of lauhala [pandanus] weaving. Michael began making hats under the tutelage of Aunty Gladys Grace when he joined the Ulana Me Ka Lokomaika'i weaving club. As he weaves, he follows his teacher's words that "what you feel in your heart is what happens with your hands - have a good heart and it's reflected in your hat."

Harriet Soong (Native Hawaiian), Kailua Kona, Big Island, Hawai'i
Harriet Soong was first taught weaving by her mother and, as a teenager, in summer school classes. In 2000 she apprenticed under master Big Island weaver Peter Park. Recognized also as a master quilter, she says weaving offers different conceptual challenges than quilt making. Harriet has served as president of the Ka Ulu Lauhala O Kona, a Big Island weavers' organization.