Apo Aquino

Apolonio “Apo” Kalani Aquino Sr. was born and raised in Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii. He first learned the art of net making at age 7–taught by his father. In the last 20 years he has primarily made functional fishing nets (upena) for local fisherman.

Apo also enjoys creating upena art pieces from cordage; he gets his inspiration thinking about his ancestors before him. He finds creating art pieces is a way that he can perpetuate his Hawaiian culture while still having a deep connection to his past.  You can find Apo teaching upena weaving and sharing his Hawaiian culture at his studio, the Kona Town Hui, in Kailua-Kona. 

To learn more about his work, visit his website at KonaTownHui.com.