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The Owners |
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In the fall of 2003, Manu Josiah, of Kohala `ohana, and Leilehua Yuen, of Hilo `ohana - two people with an intense love of Hawai`i, Hawaiian culture, and motorcycles - met. Within moments they were friends. Within months they were in love. As their relationship grew, so did a professional partnership. Manu admired Leilehua's artistic talents. Leilehua was in awe of Manu's organizational skills. She also thought his biceps were pretty nifty. Especially when he offered to help run the heavy equipment she uses in her work. On his part, Manu was impressed with a woman who could flog a 450 Nighthawk into keeping up with a pack of Harleys through the winds of Kohala. Leilehua's ability to weld the little bike back together if she broke it probably helped as well. Leilehua learned to weld so she could follow in her father's artistic footsteps as a metal sculptor, hand crafting the Malama Torches(TM) he has made since 1967. Leilehua and Manu admire each others love of and respect for their island home. The powerful natural forces of the island are where Leilehua, as an artist, draws much of her inspiration. Manu also draws on these forces in his work in preserving the cultural heritage, and in teaching young men and women how to navigate the challenges of the modern world. Together, Manu and Leilehua support and inspire each other in their mutual, as well as separate, work. Together, working as LeiManu Designs, they are adding to the designs and products of the Malama line of torches, as well as continuing in the traditional Hawaiian arts, crafting kahili, `umeke, ka`eke`eke, and other items for the home and hula.
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