Native America Calling: Reclaiming and growing Hawaiian kapa traditions

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Monday, December 16, 2024

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Reclaiming and growing Hawaiian kapa traditions

After a period of colonial suppression, traditional kapa making is enjoying a sustained resurgence.

In recent decades, a growing number of Native Hawaiian artists have mastered the labor-intensive process of harvesting, scraping, and soaking the bark of the wauke plant and embellishing the resulting fabric with colorful traditional designs.

A new generation of artists is benefiting from this reclaimed expertise.

Materials used by kapa practitioner Dalani Tanahy of Kapa Hawaii during a workshop at the University of Hawaii–West O‘ahu. Photo: University of Hawaii–West O‘ahu

Guests on Native America Calling

Dalani Tanahy (Native Hawaiian), Hawaiian kapa artist

Lehuauakea (Native Hawaiian), Hawaiian kapa artist

Micah Kamohoali’i (Native Hawaiian), Hawaiian artist, fashion designer, and educator

Roen Hufford (Native Hawaiian), Hawaiian kapa artist