Step into a cultural and creative journey by learning the art of lei po’o making, inspired by coding and led by Hawaiian STEM storyteller Zyola Moanali’a.
🎟️Cost: FREE
📍Intersection: E Iliff Ave & S Blackhawk St in Aurora, CO (exact location will be emailed after registration)
💜Who’s Invited: AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth in grades 6-8.
What to expect:
Hands-on Lei Po’o Making: Learn the traditional art of lei-making while connecting it to coding principles.
Inspiring Storytelling: Hear from Zyola Moanali’a as she shares her journey of overcoming challenges as a Hawaiian woman in STEM, embracing joy and self-determination.
Interactive Problem Solving: Practice coding-inspired techniques and creative problem-solving through the step-by-step process of crafting your own lei.
Community Building: Join a supportive, joyful space where you can connect with others and explore how to navigate challenges with authenticity and self-determination.
Reflection and Growth: Engage in conversations about systemic inequities and discover how joy can be used as a method for resilience and empowerment.
About Zyola Moanaliʻa Mix
Zyola Moanaliʻa Mix(ʻAu/Oʻia) is an Indigenous Hawaiian and Black storyteller, single parent, veteran, and survivor of an invisible disability. Born and raised in Kaneʻohe, Hawaiʻi, they grew up in a family that upheld colonial traditions while nurturing a profound respect for their kupuna, lands, waters, and each other. Despite the challenges of assimilation and the illegality of their language, Zyola found rebellion in hula and deepened their connection to their heritage over the years.
Navigating life as a dark-skinned person of mixed ethnicity, Zyola experienced isolation and insecurity but found joy in music and science fiction/fantasy literature. It wasn't until after the birth of their daughter that they began to embrace their identity fully.
As a storyteller for Asian Girls Ignite, Zyola is passionate about inspiring young girls to dream big and know they can be themselves, drawing from their childhood aspirations of becoming a space scientist and astronaut. Their hobbies include dance, music, and stargazing. Motivated by the words "Be good ancestor" and "Don't destroy someone's hope. It may be all they have," Zyola is committed to fostering hope and opportunity for the next generation.