About Us

Kala'e and Leimana at Merrie Monarch Kalaʻe Tangonan is a mother of seven and has a Bachelors degree in Arts from UH Hilo. She learmed to batik from two incredible artists, her mother Scarlett Ritte and aunt Sarai Strickland. She is proud to be a part of such a rich legacy as her oldest daughter is also pursuing a degree in Art. Kalaʻe enjoys working with a variety of media, and is well known for her murals around the island. Wherever Kalaʻe is, art is happening! 

 

Leimana Ritte-Camara has two children and is a graduate of ʻO Hina I Ka Malama Hawaiian Language Immersion program. She enjoys working on detailed projects and crafting with natural materials, especially weaving beautiful lei and crafting shell jewelry. She is a graceful hula dancer and chanter, bringing Hawaiian stories alive in different ways. 

 

We are all fluent in Hawaiian language and can often be heard speaking ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi with our families and with customers. No mākou ke kuleana o ka hoʻōla ana i ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, e ola ka lāhui Hawaiʻi, e ola ka ʻōlelo o nēia ʻāina aloha.

Some of the 'Ohana at the workshop

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Me Ke Aloha Pumehana,

Kalaʻe Tangonan, Leimana Ritte-Camara

...and the whole Kupu Aʻe Molokai ʻOhana