Letters to
Leilehua Yuen

     Noted for her knowledge in Hawaiian culture and arts, Leilehua delights in sharing it with others. She receives letters, e-mail, and post cards from around the world, thanking her for enhancing the Hawaiian experience of the visitors she meets.

Resume * Biographical Sketch

From the Mainland U.S.

"Dear Leilehua, . . . Thanks, gracias, merci, danke, arigato, obrigado, I don't know how to say thanks in any more languages - you did SO MUCH to make my stay in Hawai`i enjoyable. . . . S.M.    

"Dear Lei, . . . both of us miss Hawai`i tremendously. We had such a good time, thanks in no small part to your generous hospitality and friendship. . ." L.L. & T.R.
                               
     "Dear Leilehua, Aloha. Mahalo for our evening with you and your friends . . .  We enjoyed ourselves immensely and learned from you. Our time with all of you was one of the highlights of our trip. . . We felt honoured when you chanted a farewell for us. . ." P.G. & J.G.

From Germany

"Aloha Leilehua, . . . Thank you for sharing with us your stories of Pele. The Volcano Goddess is very exciting and I much admire her. Thank you for stories that are very lifefull." M.B.

From Belgium

"Thank you for your beautiful music. God Bless." M.B., Flanders

From India

"Dear Leilehua, Enclosed is a photograph of you chanting your prayers. . . thank you for sharing with me the beauty of your culture. . ." R.H.

From Japan

     "Dear Leilehua, Thank you very much for teaching me Hula. It was the most important time for me in Hawai`i. . . I like to hear you saying "Aloha" because it's very heartful. I hope we can see each other in the nearest future. . ." N.U.

From Peru

"Aloha Leilehua, . . . Thank you for sharing the Hawaiian stories with me. Stories are an important part of our native cultures in Peru, too. How far to travel to be so much alike!. . ." J.Y. 

From Hawai`i

"Aloha Leilehua, . . . You are still the pleasant and gentle person I remember from your stint as a reporter. . . I'll look forward to a book by you." L.B.

New resident: "I want to say again biiiiig mahalo for every thing. You give us so much things, spirit, and opportunity. We were always encouraged from you. And you are hardest worker!! I'm fledgling aloha residence, but I will learn more aloha with you." Y.D.



         Entities with which Leilehua has worked include:

Antetium Institute (traditional storytelling)
Bishop Museum / Amy BH Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (various cultural demonstrations)
Elderhostle (tapa making workshop)
Hawai`i Island Space Exploration Society (tours, research, entertainment)
Hilo Intermediate School (guest speaker on poetry)
Kamehameha Traveling Pre-School (teacher training)
Kona PacificWaldorf School (Hawai`iana)
Lili`uokalani Children's Center (tapa making workshop)
`Ohana o na Pua Waldorf Kinderhaus (Hawai`iana) 
Seventh Heaven Waldorf School (Haawai`iana)
U.S. National Park Service (various cultural demonstrations)
     Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
     Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
     Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
     Pu`ukohola National Historical Site
Toastmasters International (speaker training)
University of Hawai`i (lecturer on incorporating Pidgin and Hawaiian crafts in school curricula)