kapa kulture
This blog is dedicated to Hawaiian kapa and matters related to Hawai'i nei…kuku kapa e!
Archive for the tag “kapa”
HALE KAPA, or Kapa House in English
New gallery shop opened in Lihu’e on Kaua’i, Hawai’i. It is a home for the Kapa Revival Project, a place to hold classes and workshops in the Hawaiian arts, especially kapa arts, and a place to see kapa on display and purchase tools for kapa making. There are also a number of beautiful island-style items for sale. Right now there are Christmas ornaments made with kapa and stamped with ‘ohe kapala, bamboo stamps in traditional Hawaiian motifs.
2981 Kalena Street, Lihu’e, HI. 96766
Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year, Happy New Hohoa!
These five hohoa were made in record time! Imua!
The onset of this new year makes my heart feel glad and appreciative. I am thankful for my ‘ohana (family). They continuously help me with the actual work of making my mea kapa.
This new year my kuleana (responsibility) will continue to involve haumana (students) in kapa-making. We are building a mala garden that will feature these kapa plants: wauke, noni, kukui, ‘olena, ‘uki’uki, ma’o, and ilie’e….
I was awarded the David Boynton Educational Grant. This is a local grant that was established and named in honor of the late David Boynton. I am so grateful for these funds. We will be purchasing the garden tools and supplies we need for the Kapa Garden Project! Mahalos
Hawaiian Word of the Day: kanu
kanu: To plant, bury; planting, burial. Fig., hereditary. Mea kanu, crops, plants. Kanu papahu wili, to set solidly into the ground by twisting in and then tamping with a post; lit., plant stick twist. He moʻopuna na kō lākou haku kanu, he was a grandson of their hereditary lord.
hoʻokanu. To cause to plant or bury, (Proto-Polynesian tanu).
Kanu e ka mala wauke. (Plant the wauke garden.)
Bark Cloth on the Island of Uvea is Ngatu
Closely related to Tonga, the term for bark cloth in the island of Uvea is ngatu. Paper mulberry, Broussonetia papyrifera, or hiapo, is cultivated on the east coast where rainfall is heavy. Double layers of ngatu are beaten out and pasted together and are designed using freehand designs or kupesi-imprinted methods. If the kupesi pattern block is used, it is made form the midrib of leaf sewn to wads of leaf as in Tonga, and this is the traditional style for Uvea to make designs on the cloth.
Contemporary kupesi are carved in wood. Freehand painting is also done. The design motifs have changed over time from simple, repetitious patterns to modern designs that show a slice of life such as drinking kava, dancing, climbing trees, and fishing. Uses of ngatu include bed covers and screens, and clothing. There are two types of wrap-around skirts that are distinct in Uvea. One called a lafi that is decorated using the kupesi and then over-painted with black dye. The second is called a tohihina, which is decorated completely with freehand design using a pen in black dye on white ngatu cloth.
Ngatu of Uvea
Hawaiian Word of the Day: ʻāwīwī
ʻāwīwī: To hurry; speedy, swift, quick, fast.
ʻĀwīwī kēia ka’a. This car is fast.
Hawaiian Word of the Day: ʻoluʻolu
ʻoluʻolu: Pleasant, nice, amiable, satisfied, contented, happy, affable, agreeable, congenial, cordial, gracious; please. E ʻoluʻolu ʻoe e hele mai, please come here; lit., be kind to come here. E ʻoluʻolu ʻoe i koʻu manaʻo, please do me a favor. ʻOluʻolu ʻole, unpleasant, impolite, uncomfortable. ʻaʻole o lākou ʻoluʻolu i ʻelua dālā, they are not satisfied with two dollars. Mōʻi ʻoluʻolu, gracious majesty. ʻOluʻolu nō iāia iho, satisfied with himself, complacent. ʻAʻahu ʻoluʻolu, comfortable, casual, informal wear. Ke noi aku nei au i kou ʻoluʻolu, I am asking a favor of you. E ʻoluʻolu i ka mea i loaʻa, be satisfied with what you have got.
hoʻoluʻolu: To satisfy, alleviate, allay, console; to retire to rest, to seek rest; parade rest, at ease (military commands). E hōʻoluʻolu mai i kō ʻoukou mau naʻau, comfort your hearts.
ʻOluʻolu ka pōpoki.
kapa kulture 