IPU: A HAWAIIAN FAMILY TRADITION

"Kuli'a i ka nu'u."
Strive to reach the highest.
-Queen Kapi'olani

We are a Native Hawaiian (Kanaka Maoli)/ Native American family owned and operated organic ipu gourd farm (kalana ipu) located on an Indian reservation in San Diego County. Our family is dedicated to producing top quality ipu (traditional Hawaiian drum) while respecting the traditions and care associated with growing such a culturally important plant. Hawaiian ipu are the foundation of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian hula and mele.

"I ulu no ka lala i ke kumu."
The branches grow because of the trunk.
-Hawaiian Proverb

Our family is descended from a long line of mahi'ai, kumu hula, musicians, and practitioners of Hawaiian arts that have both cultivated and used the ipu. We strive to maintain the quality of craftsmanship and care that our ancestors had for ipu.

Here at ipufarm.com, we are one of the few Native-owned and operated organic ipu farms on native soil. Our long-term goals involve creating a sustainable economic development for other Native peoples through the cultivation and sale of ipu.

GROWING IPU FOR AUNTY

Here on the reservation growing na ipu (halma in local language) for tribal ceremony has a long history. We personally have been growing gourds for about 10 years now... however it wasnt until our Great Aunt Kumu Hula Donna Jensen mentioned that her ipu crop on the Big Island wouldnt produce due to gourd-hungry bugs that we started to grow ipu for her... And that's how we are where we are today, a Family owned ipu farm!