About Kumu Rae
Aunty Rae Pacheco has been a cherished part of 4 Days of Aloha since its early years, sharing the art of lei making with warmth, storytelling, and deep cultural knowledge. A dear and close friend of festival founder Deva Yamashiro, Rae once called Vancouver, Washington, home, where she raised her children and was an active member of Ke Kukui Foundation and Kaleinani O Ke Kukui. She later returned to Hawaiʻi and now resides in Hilo, where she continues to embrace and perpetuate the traditions of her kūpuna.
A lifelong lover of nature, Rae finds inspiration in the lush landscapes of Hilo, gathering flora from the slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and along the banks of the Wailuku River to create stunning lei for special performances, gifts, and ceremonies. Each year, she harvests native plants such as ʻaʻaliʻi, carefully bringing them to the Pacific Northwest to intertwine Hawaiʻi’s mana with the beauty of the region.
Aunty Rae’s journey with lei making began in her teenage years, when she helped a friend prepare adornments for a Merrie Monarch performance. What started as an introduction soon became a lifelong passion, and she has since taught generations—keiki to kūpuna—the sacred process of gathering, preparing, and weaving lei with intention and aloha.
Her workshops at 4 Days of Aloha are more than just lessons in lei making; they are experiences filled with storytelling, connection, and the passing down of traditions. Over the years, her teachings have resonated deeply with many, earning her a dedicated group of returning students who continue to learn from her wisdom.
Aunty Rae is honored to share this art form as a means of perpetuating Hawaiian culture, one lei at a time.
