document.write('\x3cmeta http-equiv=\x22x-dns-prefetch-control\x22 content=\x22off\x22/\x3e\x3clink rel=\x22stylesheet\x22 type=\x22text/css\x22 href=\x22http://assets.tumblr.com/fonts/gibson/stylesheet.css?v=3\x22\x3e\x3col class=\x22tumblr_posts\x22\x3e\x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_photo_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3cimg src=\x22http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbphzc2zjn1qbbldfo1_400.jpg\x22 alt=\x22\x22 class=\x22tumblr_photo\x22/\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_photo_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3cimg src=\x22http://41.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbphyknoY31qbbldfo1_400.jpg\x22 alt=\x22\x22 class=\x22tumblr_photo\x22/\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_photo_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3cimg src=\x22http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbphxbWPSX1qbbldfo1_400.jpg\x22 alt=\x22\x22 class=\x22tumblr_photo\x22/\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_photo_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3cimg src=\x22http://36.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbphvcrSBb1qbbldfo1_400.jpg\x22 alt=\x22\x22 class=\x22tumblr_photo\x22/\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eOur Article in the Sunday Chronicle - Oct. 7, 2012\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3eHere\x26#8217;s the article about our store from the Sunday Chronicle:http://www.sfgate.com/style/article/Aloha-Warehouse-leis-tie-culture-family-3923238.php\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eAt the heart of Hawaiian culture is the concept of ohana, in which family members help and honor one another. That concept was not lost on Leah Dang after the death of her beloved father, \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search\x26amp;action=search\x26amp;channel=style\x26amp;search=1\x26amp;inlineLink=1\x26amp;query=%22Albert+Ah+Wah+Dang%22\x22\x3eAlbert Ah Wah Dang\x3c/a\x3e, a Maui-born merchant marine who worked in San Francisco.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x22After Dad died, we asked ourselves, \x26#8216;What could we do to honor him? What would he proud of?\x26#8217; \x22 said Dang. \x22He loved Hawaii and was always homesick for the flavors and comforts of home.\x22\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cdiv\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eRead more: \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/style/article/Aloha-Warehouse-leis-tie-culture-family-3923238.php#ixzz28x5Zx6pg\x22\x3ehttp://www.sfgate.com/style/article/Aloha-Warehouse-leis-tie-culture-family-3923238.php#ixzz28x5Zx6pg\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/div\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eSo the Dang ohana brought Hawaii to San Francisco by selling homemade products and imported island goods, first working the craft fair circuit. In 2005, the Dang family opened Aloha Warehouse in Japantown where they sold a vast collection of Hawaiian clothing and snacks, and later ukeleles. They also offered hula classes at Ke Olu Makani O Mauna Loa school, under the direction of renowned hula master Kumu Hula Meleana Manuel. Dang\x26#8217;s \x26#8220;brother\x26#8221; Tamalani \x26#8220;Tama\x26#8221; Auva\x26#8217;a (adopted by Dang\x26#8217;s mother through the informal adoption custom of hanai), a professional hula dancer who taught at the school, made intricate and beautiful leis for his fellow dancers. \x26#8220;In order to dance hula, you have to know how to sew lei,\x26#8221; Auva\x26#8217;a said.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eWord got out about his techniques (he has created a proprietary \x26#8220;fishbone\x26#8221; style and works at incredible speed) and soon brides were clamoring for leis and flower hair pinnings. In 2008, Aloha Warehouse started its lei-making business, becoming the only retailer of authentic Hawaiian lei in Northern California.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x22Lei making is an art form passed down from generations. You learn from the aunties and tutus (grandmas), and everyone else sitting around the kitchen table,\x22 said Dang. During the busy season, when weddings and graduations overlap, they sew between 70 to 100 leis a day in seven styles including the traditional haku and a style made from ti leaves. They also create more intricate leis made from pikake, tuberose and stephanotis.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eSome of their leis have adorned Mayor \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/ed-lee/\x22\x3eEd Lee\x3c/a\x3e (who prefers an extra long Maile-style ti braid with gardenias) and \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/gavin-newsom/\x22\x3eGavin Newsom\x3c/a\x3e, as well as Hawaiian entertainers \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search\x26amp;action=search\x26amp;channel=style\x26amp;search=1\x26amp;inlineLink=1\x26amp;query=%22Jake+Shimabukuro%22\x22\x3eJake Shimabukuro\x3c/a\x3e, the \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search\x26amp;action=search\x26amp;channel=style\x26amp;search=1\x26amp;inlineLink=1\x26amp;query=%22Makaha+Sons%22\x22\x3eMakaha Sons\x3c/a\x3e, Kaumakaiwa Kanaka\x26#8217;ole and \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search\x26amp;action=search\x26amp;channel=style\x26amp;search=1\x26amp;inlineLink=1\x26amp;query=%22Nainoa+Thompson%22\x22\x3eNainoa Thompson\x3c/a\x3e of the \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search\x26amp;action=search\x26amp;channel=style\x26amp;search=1\x26amp;inlineLink=1\x26amp;query=%22Polynesian+Voyaging+Society%22\x22\x3ePolynesian Voyaging Society\x3c/a\x3e.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cdiv\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eRead more: \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/style/article/Aloha-Warehouse-leis-tie-culture-family-3923238.php#ixzz28x5SuU3l\x22\x3ehttp://www.sfgate.com/style/article/Aloha-Warehouse-leis-tie-culture-family-3923238.php#ixzz28x5SuU3l\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/div\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eLei making is not only serious business, it\x26#8217;s spiritual as well. A daily check-in is required before each project. \x26#8220;The rule is that if you are having attitude that day and if you are feeling ill, you are not allowed to sew lei,\x26#8221; Auva\x26#8217;a said. \x26#8220;It takes a lot of energy and skill to allow the flower to place itself. So you need a clear mind, because you don\x26#8217;t want to give bad energy to the person receiving the lei.\x26#8221;\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eDang says she likes working with brides, because they know exactly what they want and yet she gets to incorporate Hawaiian tradition in other wedding customs. She has covered a chuppah in dendrobium orchids and made a flowered rope from red carnations for a Filipino cord ceremony.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eWhile Auva\x26#8217;a works with most brides who seek Aloha Warehouse\x26#8217;s services, he will decline orders if he feels the spirit of the flower or process will not shine through. \x26#8220;I am not going to paint a fragrant flower a neon color and kill the flower,\x26#8221; Auva\x26#8217;a said. \x26#8220;We are not a monkey with a string. With my lei maker eye, we have to feel the spirit of the flower in every order.\x26#8221;\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eDang has expanded her ohana to include homesick Hawaiian \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/education-guide/\x22\x3ecollege\x3c/a\x3e students who often frequent her shop to help cut flowers and assist stringing lei. Dang always makes sure to serve them a home-cooked meal. \x26#8220;Our mission is to be community oriented and keep aloha in our hearts,\x26#8221; Dang said. \x26#8220;By doing that, we make our father proud.\x26#8221;\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp class=\x22dtlcomment\x22\x3e\x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search\x26amp;action=search\x26amp;channel=style\x26amp;search=1\x26amp;inlineLink=1\x26amp;query=%22Sarah+Adler%22\x22\x3eSarah Adler\x3c/a\x3e is a \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search\x26amp;action=search\x26amp;channel=style\x26amp;search=1\x26amp;inlineLink=1\x26amp;query=%22San+Francisco+Chronicle%22\x22\x3eSan Francisco Chronicle\x3c/a\x3e staff writer. E-mail: \x3ca href=\x22mailto:sadler@sfchronicle.com\x22\x3esadler@sfchronicle.com\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cdiv\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eRead more: \x3ca href=\x22http://www.sfgate.com/style/article/Aloha-Warehouse-leis-tie-culture-family-3923238.php#ixzz28x5Jl0bE\x22\x3ehttp://www.sfgate.com/style/article/Aloha-Warehouse-leis-tie-culture-family-3923238.php#ixzz28x5Jl0bE\x3c/a\x3e\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eKanile\x26#8217;a Ukulele - So many to choose from!\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3e\x3cimg alt=\x22Premium Koa\x22 src=\x22https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151017233847233\x26amp;set=pb.282288652232.0.1346012979\x26amp;type=3\x26amp;theater\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_photo_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3cimg src=\x22http://41.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m92i1qgu6E1qbbldfo1_400.jpg\x22 alt=\x22Kanile\x26amp;#8217;a K-1 Concert Premium Koa UV Gloss\x22 class=\x22tumblr_photo\x22/\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_caption\x22\x3e\x0a                        \x3cp\x3eKanile\x26#8217;a K-1 Concert Premium Koa UV Gloss\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                    \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eFresh Flower Lei Order\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3eThe Global weather has been very bad this year and severe floods in Thailand there is a World Wide shortage in Orchids.\u00a0 If and when we get fresh blooms, they are smaller and much more fragile than the norm.\u00a0 Our weekly standing order of Orchids direct from Thailand are not available this year.\u00a0 However to accommodate the need for the Graduation season, we are flying in Fresh Plumeria from Hawaii.\u00a0 Plumeria is the smell of Hawaii, and represents the true gift of Aloha, now available at the Aloha Warehouse.\u00a0 Please allow a \x3cem\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eminimum of 3 working days for all lei orders\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/em\x3e as all fresh flower lei are made on premise by our skilled Hawaiian Lei makers.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4eavon87V1qbqkq8.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eOrchid Plumeria Haku Lei \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3x9qjbb9i1qbqkq8.jpg\x22/\x3eAll of our Fresh Flower Lei are made on site at the Aloha Warehouse by our own Lei makers.\u00a0 We are the only retailer of authentic Hawaiian Lei in Northern California.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_link_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3ca href=\x22http://www.facebook.com/Alohawarehouse\x22 class=\x22tumblr_link\x22 \x3eLIKE US on Facebook\x3c/a\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_description\x22\x3e\x0a                        \x3cp\x3eGet updates on Hawaiian events in the Bay Area.\u00a0 Music, Luau\x26#8217;s, Kanikapila, Ukulele Workshops and much more.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                    \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a\x3c/ol\x3e\x3cscript 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