Hawaii has a rich tradition of crafting.
Hawaii has a rich history of crafting, including making leis, featherworking, creating kapa cloth and frond weaving. Many traditional Hawaiian crafts are influenced by Polynesian and Tahitian culture, but Hawaiian crafters have developed their own distinctive style over time. Although some traditional Hawaiian crafts are not as common as they once were, many crafters pursue them out of a desire to keep tradition alive.
Leis
Leis are created by threading flowers or shells to create anklets, bracelets or necklaces. Traditionally, leis were given as a sign of affection, respect or hospitality. In modern times, leis are commonly given to travelers to welcome them to Hawaii. Flowers commonly used to create leis are the plumeria, lehua, ilima, lokelani and kukui. In some cases, vines, moss, seeds and nuts are also used to create leis.
Featherwork
Featherworking is the traditional Hawaiian art of creating capes, hats, leis and other ornaments out of feathers. Historically, garments and adornments created through featherworking were worn only by nobility and were seen as a mark of status. Feathered objects were also considered to contain spiritual power. Although featherworking is not as popular as it once was, it is still possible to find feather leis and hair ornaments.
Kapa
Kapa is a traditional cloth created from mulberry bark pulp. The bark is harvested after the tree reaches about 1 inch in diameter, pounded to form a pulp, dried, soaked and pounded further. The resulting cloth is then dyed or embossed using pounding tools carved into a variety of designs. Kapa can be used to create functional objects, such as bed spreads, or purely decorative objects, such as tapestries and wall hangings.
Quilts
Although kapa is Hawaii's traditional cloth, the introduction of new cloth and techniques by explorers and missionaries led to new crafting methods, such as the creation of quilts. Hawaiian quilts are traditionally created from one piece of material, with additional cloth sewn onto the main piece to create bold and colorful designs. In modern times, Hawaiian quilts are considered to be pieces of artwork rather than simply functional blankets and are often displayed as tapestries or wall hangings.
Lauhala Frond Weaving
Lauhala frond weaving is the art of weaving fronds from the hala tree into artful objects. Frond weaving is used to create baskets, placemats, fans, bracelets, headbands and hats. The fronds from the male hala tree were traditionally the most prized for use in lauhala frond weaving because of their durability, scarcity and pleasing texture; objects woven out of fronds from the male hala tree were often reserved for nobility.
Tags: used create, frond weaving, fronds from, hala tree, traditional Hawaiian