Making `Ohe Kapala: The Design Language of Hawaiian Kapa

July 18, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Mānoa Campus, Lyon Arboretum, 3860 Manoa Rd.

Learn the design language of Hawaiian kapa and create your own `ohe kāpala (bamboo kapa stamp). The zenith of making and decorating bark cloth in Polynesia was reached by Hawaiian kapa. Finely felted and watermarked, kapa was embellished with intricate motifs. The hallmark was the secondary pattern created by the negative spaces between stamped patterns. Recognizing and understanding the power of these internal spaces is the key to the limitless potential of creating your own `ohe kapala. You will learn not only the basic Hawaiian language names of patterns but also understand its origin and kaona, its layered meaning relative to place, season and family lineage. The workshop includes a tour of some of the Arboretums bamboo collections, guidance on how to select `ohe, discussion on appropriate usage of patterns, and making your own `ohe kāpala, and using traditional kapa dyes and contemporary pigments. Instructor: Moana Eisele. Class fee: $75 (plus $20 supply fee payable to instructor at the class). Pre-registration is required.


Ticket Information
Class size is limited. Call 988-0456 to register

Event Sponsor
Lyon Arboretum, Mānoa Campus

More Information
Jill Laughlin, (808) 988-0461, jlaughli@hawaii.edu, http://manoa.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum

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