Gladys Shizuko Leilani Brede's Obituary
Gladys Brede Obituary
Biography of Gladys S Brede
By: Colin K. Brede 1994
My mother was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. A daughter of an American Japanese Ancestry father and my grandmother of Hawaiian French descendants. Mom married our father John P Brede of Hawaiian German: ancestry, who supported her love of Lei Humupapa, Hawaiian Feather Work.
As a youngster, mom was always fascinated by the Hawaiian Arts and Crafts. Her maternal grandmother (tutu) was a master lauhala weaver and worked also with feathers. As a child she would watch her grandmother weave lauhala and sew feather hatbands at a distance. The grandchildren were never allowed to touch any of tutu’s work. This did not discourage my mother in learning the art of Lei Humupapa feather work, for now she is considered a master and perpetuates the Hawaiian art of feather lei making.
In 1985 she joined a society of feather lei makers “Na Hulu Nani Pilialoha”. The society shared and perpetuated the art of Hawaiian feather lei making. She has been asked numerous times to lecture on the art of feather lei making. She enjoys spreading the aloha associated with these lectures and encourage all to continue in this fine Hawaiian art. She participates in the Annual “Molokai Ka Hula Piko” (Celebration of the Hula) as an invited feather artist. This is a highly prestigious annual gathering of musician’s, Hula Halau’s and Hawaiian Artisans.
The gathering of pelts and preparation of feathers is meticulously done by Mom and family members. Dad always did the washing of the pelts; Mom would never touch the pelts until it was clean. She will pluck, sort, and trim feathers before sewing. Only when she is satisfied that there are enough feathers will she start the actual sewing. Four hand stitches per a feather from one continuous length of thread is what goes into a fine feather hatband. I would always accompany her to the many lectures and craft shows in our islands.
The designs of the hatbands are inspirations, coming from her love for family, friends, and the culture of our beautiful Hawaiian Islands. While working on lei’s, many designs will come to her, as well as the traditional patterns. Her passion for the feather art is displayed through out our islands in the beauty of her feather hatbands as Hawaiian Heirlooms for many. She has said “hopefully every design will be lovingly fashioned into a beautiful feather hat band that will represent and perpetuate our Hawaiian culture for generations to come.”
Services will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Mililani Mortuary Makai Chapel.
8:00 am family viewing
8:30 am public viewing
9:30 am program: blessing, service, eulogy, open testimony
10:30 am final viewing, closing, pallbearers
11:00 am Burial
11:30 am - 12:45 pm Bento Lunch
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.
Read More
What’s your fondest memory of Gladys?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gladys?
Share a story where Gladys' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gladys you’ll never forget.
How did Gladys make you smile?