Haumea Designs

11/25/2025

Yesterday, a friend asked if I’d attend a Pua Crew Collective meeting in her place. After some confusion about where to meet, I finally sat down to talk story with the organizer.

She was looking for lei makers to help with fabric and fresh flower lei workshops. I shared that I’ve been making lei for 12 years and dancing hula for 25. As it turns out, she also needs lei makers for local hula shows. “You’re the perfect fit,” she said.

Then she asked what made me return home after so many years in the Bay Area.

I told her I’m originally from California—San Diego and the Bay—not from here.

She smiled and said, “That doesn’t matter. You are home.”

Sometimes home isn’t where you’re from.
It’s where you’re welcomed.
Where your gifts are seen.
Where someone looks at you and says, you belong here.

Happy Thanksgiving.
I hope you all find your way home—wherever that may be.

Me ke aloha,
Arleen

11/17/2025

This weekend’s ti leaf lei-making workshop with my halau reignited the creativity and peace that I’ve been needing for a long time. As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I truly have much to be grateful this year and much to be grateful for looking toward the new year.

Mahalo nui loa,
Arleen 🫶🏼

11/16/2025

Grateful for an afternoon of ti leaf wreath-making with the halau ‘ohana

10/11/2025

09/15/2025

‘A’ali’i has been a plant that eluded me for years. When I was going through ‘uniki to become an ʻōlapa (hula dancer), my Kumu said that I should make ‘a’ali’i lei because not only is it beautiful, but it is resilient.

My resilience was truly tested during that time - personally, professionally and in my hula journey. If you have ever experienced ‘uniki, it is the ultimate test in resilience.

This weekend, I was fortunate to be able to take home the florals from a client project which included ‘a’ali’i. You bet I made lei out of all of it ☺️. Here’s to ongoing resilience and beauty as we kick off a new week 🫶🏼!

Aloha,
Arleen