About Us

Eugene “Onio” Punzal, a Kauai Native, is a Cultural Weaving Practitioner at the Kauai Museum. Uncle Onio has been volunteering at the Kauai Museum for close to 9 years, when he retired, as a Concierge/Manager of Japan Affairs for PAHIO/Wyndham Resorts.

As a Volunteer at the Kauai Museum, Uncle Onio, with the help of Director Chucky Boy Chock, developed an Outreach Cultural Program where he would do a free 45 minute weaving demonstration with the Coconut Leaf to all Private and Public Schools on Kauai to promote and perpetuate the fading art of Coconut Weaving.

Uncle Onio is a multi-medium weaving practitioner, also using Lauhala (Pandanas) and Ti Leaves.

Lauhala – pandanus tectorius
The hala tree has enormous cultural importance to Hawaiians.  The fruit of the tree can be consumed, the trunks for building materials, but mostly used, are the beautiful long leaves that it provides.   When processed, it makes for a wonderful medium for weaving, plaiting, or braiding.

Coconut Tree Leaves – cocos nucifera
The coconut tree is considered the ‘Tree of Life” to Polynesians.  From the fruit, you can get water, milk and oil, all with lots of health benefits.  From the leaves you can make beautiful baskets, hats, trinkets, etc.  Illustrated below are items woven with coconut leaves.