“…her life is defined and punctuated by the primal, slightly muffled thumping of a wooden mallet striking an anvil through layers of softened bark.  With each strike of the mallet, the fermented bark spreads – a little.  Slowly, the moistened bark turns into cloth.  The stiff outer wrapping of an upright mulberry tree is transformed into something soft, pliable, warm - a blanket, perhaps, or clothing.  It becomes kapa, the bark cloth of the ancient Hawaiians…”

               -Pua Van Dorpe, Kapa Beater

A Hawaiian history of customs, lifestyle and royalty speak through this self-guided tour of Hawaiian art pieces handcrafted by well-studied modern artists.  This collection of Hawaiian artifact-influenced artwork includes kapa (bark cloth), kapa kuiki (quilt), u`meke (calabash bowls or gourds), la`au hoe (paddles), hula pahu(hula drums), and hula implements.  Glimpses of Hawaiian history similar to the kapa beater excerpt told above are shared through this unique cultural experience.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY,

PLEASE CONTACT:

Jocelyn Elfstrom, Public Relations Manager

Telephone:  808-662-8025  Facsimile:  808-661-9991 

For more information, e-mail by clicking here.