About the Artist

A Legacy in Lei Hulu

Herman Ka’oiwinani Mossman Tachera is a master lei hulu artist who has devoted over three decades to preserving and teaching the traditional Hawaiian art of featherwork. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, and known affectionately as “Uncle Herman” in the Hawaiian community, he carries this honorific as a sign of respect for his elder status and wisdom. In 1996, he was introduced to feather lei-making by Mikioi Iwamoto and soon became a student of legendary artisans Aunty Mary Louise Kaleonahenahe Kekuewa and Aunty Paulette Nohealani Kahalepuna. Under their guidance (along with mentor Michael Vieira), he learned the spiritual and cultural foundations of featherwork, as well as the intricate techniques used to create it. In 2007, his kumu formally passed on the kuleana (responsibility) to Tachera to teach and perpetuate the art.

The Art of Lei Hulu

Tachera’s feather lei are created using the wili technique, in which single feathers are carefully wrapped onto a central cord. Styles such as wili poepoe and lei kāmoe showcase different ways the feathers are presented—either fluffed outward or laid flat. A single inch of lei can take an hour to complete, making the process a meditation in patience and precision. Due to conservation concerns, Tachera and other modern practitioners use ethically sourced feathers from non-native birds, often dyed to achieve the vibrant colors once provided by endangered Hawaiian species.

Beyond lei, Tachera also crafts kāhili (ceremonial feather standards) and ʻuliʻuli (feathered gourd rattles), expanding his practice into broader expressions of Hawaiian material culture.

Teaching and Recognition

Tachera founded Hui Lei Hulu O Ho‘omau in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he teaches featherwork to students from all backgrounds. His classes have reached communities in Hawai‘i, the mainland U.S., and even abroad. In 2016, he was selected as the Artist-in-Residence for the Royal Hawaiian Featherwork: Nā Hulu Ali‘i exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco—an honor that cemented his reputation as a cultural ambassador for Hawaiian featherwork.

One of his most impactful projects involved teaching 163 hula dancers to each make their own lei hulu for a performance, passing on both skill and cultural connection. Whether in museums, workshops, or community centers, Tachera has inspired hundreds to value and carry forward this endangered art.

Cultural Significance

Featherwork in Hawai‘i has long symbolized royalty, status, and spiritual power. Once reserved for ali‘i (chiefs) and crafted from the feathers of native birds, featherwork items such as cloaks, helmets, and lei were embodiments of mana—spiritual energy. Lei hulu, in particular, were traditionally made and worn by high-ranking Hawaiian women, representing honor, love, and prestige.

Today, the art of lei hulu survives thanks to dedicated practitioners like Herman Tachera, who embody the spirit of ho‘omau—to perpetuate. Through his teaching, mentorship, and exquisite craftsmanship, Uncle Herman ensures that this sacred tradition not only survives but thrives for generations to come.