UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Hands-on workshops rooted in culture and community
with Hawaiʻi’s top makers

 

Weave Your Way — Beginner's Class

Learn the basics of weaving on a tabletop wooden loom—how warp and weft threads combine to create fabric.

Three visiting artists from Hibla Philippines — featured in the Kulturang Makulay: Colorful Cultures of the Philippines exhibit at the East-West Center Gallery — will lead the workshop.

Hibla Philippines is a social enterprise devoted to preserving traditional Ilocos weaving and uplifting local textile communities.

Instructor: Hibla Philippines 

Date: Sunday Novemner 9, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM 

Address: Mōʻiliʻili Community Center Room 105

2535 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826

 

 

LET’S MAKE A Mini Leather Booklet

Create an adorable mini leather booklet that you could turn into a Christmas tree ornament, or even a keychain! Practice sewing techniques step by step with bookbinders from Kuro’s Workshop. The finished book is perfect for to-do lists, mini sketching, or simply admiring. This is a great class for those who enjoy handcrafts, appreciate cute knick-knacks, and the beauty of exposed structure.


Instructor: Joyce & Tomomi of Kuro's Workshop 

Date: Sunday, Novemner 16, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Address: Mōʻiliʻili Community Center Room 105

2535 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826

 

 

Weave Your Way — Advanced Class

Dive deep into traditional Ilocos weaving: explore the optical-illusion binakol pattern (also known as binakel/binakul) characterized by its dizzying geometric forms.

For experienced weavers:
• Set up your own wooden tabletop loom
• Explore historic and contemporary tweed weaving from the archipelago
• Create your own binakol piece

Instructor: Hibla Philippines 

Date: Sunday Novemner 23, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

Address: Mōʻiliʻili Community Center Room 105

2535 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826

 

 

Wrap it Up—Furoshiki

In this class you’ll explore the art of the Furoshiki (風呂敷) — a square cloth traditionally used in Japan for wrapping and carrying. You’ll learn about its cultural significance and hands-on techniques: packaging items with fabric, selecting containers and accessories, and discovering how ‘tsutsumi’ (包む) — the act of wrapping — reflects thoughtfulness and tradition.

Practice pieces will be provided, and you’re welcome to bring your own cloth. Furoshiki will also be available for purchase.

Instructor: Merle Grybowski

Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Address: Mōʻiliʻili Community Center Room 105 2535 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826

 

 

Kadomatsu—
Invite Blessings & Good Fortune

Join us for a special kadomatsu-making event with Merle Grybowski—who organised the first Temari Kadomatsu fundraiser in 1985! She will present the cultural and historical context of the kadomatsu, a traditional Japanese New Year’s decoration designed to welcome blessings and good fortune.

During the workshop, attendees will craft their own: you’ll tie together three angled-cut bamboo stalks, add shore pine, and attach a noshi (folded paper decoration) designed by Morris Umeno. Volunteers will be on hand to assist with rope-tying and pine placement.

Date: Sunday, December 28, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Address: Mōʻiliʻili Community Center Room 105 2535 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826

 

 

RETURN POLICY

All Temari Hawaii classes are non-refundable and non-transferable.
This policy helps to protect our hardworking artists and teachers. Please be sure that you can make it to class before signing up and reserving a limited space.

If the time comes and a student cannot make it, the student may send a friend in their place instead. Please contact us at hello@temarihawaii.org, and relay the full name of the person taking the student's place.