“Hālau Kūkulu Hawaiʻi: A Home That Builds Multitudes” presents a hale (building) that embodies grassroots efforts to care for ʻāina, a Native Hawaiian term for land, meaning “that which feeds.” Organized by After Oceanic Built Environments Lab (Established 2010, Honolulu, Hawai‘i) and Leong Leong Architecture (Established 2009, New York, New York), this scalable design builds upon aspects of Indigenous Hawaiian architecture, adapting traditional hale and waʻa (canoe) lashing techniques—using cordage to secure built structures without metal fasteners—for contemporary architectural construction.
After Oceanic Built Environments Lab and Leong Leong
Hālau Kūkulu Hawaiʻi: A Home That Builds Multitudes
After Oceanic Built Environments Lab and Leong Leong Architecture, Installation of “Hālau Kūkulu Hawaiʻi: A Home That Builds Multitudes” in Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Photo: Elliot Goldstein © Smithsonian Institution
The project brings together the expertise of culture bearers and traditional hale builders with architects, artists, and engineers at the Kūkulukumuhana camp in the storied Waipiʻo Valley on the island of Hawaiʻi, to develop prototypes by sharing knowledge with one another. Their approach demonstrates the value of engaging in collaborative building using Native knowledge systems as a means of supporting cultural, ecological, and political recovery across Pae ‘Āina Hawai‘i (the Hawaiian Islands) and the Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) resurgence. “Hālau Kūkulu Hawaiʻi” illuminates the challenges and potentials for advancing Native architecture in Hawai‘i.
Designed by Sean Connelly (Ilocano) and Dominic Leong (Kanaka Maoli) with Ethan Chan, Hannah Frossard, Remi McLain, Amir Mirza (Kanaka Maoli), and Chloe Munkenbeck. Hale built by Nalani Tukuafu (Kanaka Maoli) and Jojo Henderson (Kanaka Maoli). Wa‘a (canoe) lashing by Nā Kālai Wa‘a with Lei‘ohu Colburn (Kanaka Maoli). Exhibition hale installed by DB Amorin (Sāmoan), Emi Kim (Uchinanchu), Enormvs Mu.oz, Dane Keahi (Kanaka Maoli), and Jade Rhodes (Black/Mvskoke). Wood supplied by Aborica with Evan Shively. Millwork by Joinery Structures. Videography by kekahi wahi with Sancia Miala Shiba Nash (Nihon-ji), and Drew Kahu‘āina Broderick (Kanaka Maoli). Exhibition book by Tropic Editions with Marika Emi. Site hosted by HŌ‘Ā Kūkulukumuhana Summer Cultural Enrichment Program with Lanakila Mangauil (Kanaka Maoli) and Honi Pahi‘ō Tagabi (Kanaka Maoli).
This installation is made possible with additional support from Hawaiʻi Nonlinear 501(c)(3).