Solomon Apio - Master Craftsman

Known by many as “Uncle Sol”, Sol Apio would not agree to my description of him as a “Master Craftsman”. So it is my description of him as a master of many cultural practices. He identifies himself as a “master of none and a jack of all trades”. He is a retired Pearl Harbor Marine Machinist but known to all as a Master Craftsman and wood turner.Although I’ve been to Sol’s house on previous occasions I always have a hard time finding it. However on this occasion it was easy as when I arrived he was in his garage with a face shield operating a huge industrial size power equipment and covered with sawdust. His garage was a collection of many different kinds of industrial size power tools and tons of varieties of raw native woods waiting for talented hands.It seems every time I go to Sol’s house I learn something new about him and his many talents. I knew he was a Native Hawaiian plant person. I know of his woodwork and as a practitioner of the art of making the foundation of Hawaiian helmets or more correctly known as “mahiole”. However on this occasion Sol showed me some of the holua sleds he recently made. Some large and some small. A small one sitting on a table, a large one suspended from his ceiling and medium sized one made of native wood though still large enough to ride. Nothing surprises me anymore of Sol Apio.Solomon Apio will be amongst other cultural practitioners sharing their cultural talents with our many supporters and visitors at the 2016 Second Annual Kalaeloa Heritage Park Fundraiser Luau on July 23 at the Kalaeloa Heritage Park. The focus of his presentation will the cultural art of feather helmet or mahiole foundation weaving. In addition he will have on display examples of his woodwork.Article by Shad Kane