Ethnographic Objects

Iʻe kuku

kapa beater

Used to beat the inner bark of the wauke or mamaki plant into a fabric (kapa). Carved with patterns which were beaten or applied to the kapa to produce unique designs. On display at the Kīpahulu Visitor Center.

Alternate name: Kapa beater
Artist/maker: Kawai Aona-Ueoka
Place of Manufacture: Ka'a' awa, HI
Date of Manufacture: 10/30/2000
Description: Squared with three working faces and one watermark face upena (net design). Made of wood.
Dimensions: L 40.5 cm, W 4.7 cm, Thickness 4.7 cm
Catalog Number: HALE 204
(Click here for larger image)


ʻŌʻō

o'o stick
This tool had many uses for the farmer and was usually 5 to 7 feet long, either pointed and sharpened on the edges or with flat blades. On display at the Kīpahulu Visitor Center.

Alternate name: Digging stick
Artist/maker: Bruce B. Ka'imiloa Chrisman, M.D.
Date of Manufacture: 2/22/2001
Description: This is a 2/3 sized replica of a traditional digging stick made of alahe'e wood. Blade tip is beveled on one surface.
Dimensions: L 124.5 cm, Diameter 13.2 cm
Catalog Number: HALE 205

Leho heʻe

squid lure

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A bone hook attached to a wooden shaft, cowry shell, and stone sinker was dangled over an octopus hole or lowered into the sea on a line to attract the octopus. When the octopus wrapped itself around the lure, the fisherman would quickly jerk the line to hook the catch. On display at the Kīpahulu Visitor Center.

Alternate name: Octopus lure
Artist/maker: Byron Cook
Place of Manufacture: Kīpahulu, HI
Date of Manufacture: 3/16/2001
Description: Small scale replica of a traditional octopus lure comprised of a coffee bean sinker made of vesicular basalt, Tiger cowrie, shell hook, ti leaves and hau cordage.
Dimensions: L 21.5 cm, W 4.2 cm, Thickness 6.6 cm
Catalog Number: HALE 206


Kapa

kapa

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Blankets, coverings, and clothing were made from kapa. On display at the Kīpahulu Visitor Center.

Alternate name: Bark cloth
Artist/maker: Dennis Kana'e Keawe
Place of Manufacture: Hilo, HI
Date of Manufacture: 4/2001
Description: A small piece of white cloth with black geometric patterns printed on, and a raised geometric pattern embossed in the front of the cloth.
Dimensions: L 40.6 cm, W 57.2 cm
Catalog Number: HALE 210

Makau

Hawaiian Fishhooks
Large hooks were used for sea bottom fishing at depths of 10-30 fathoms (60-180 ft). In the Kīpahulu area, fishing with a hook and line occurred more often than fishing with spears, nets or traps. On display at the Kīpahulu Visitor Center.
Artist/maker: Legario (Hanky) Eharis, Jr.
Date Created: 3/12/2001
Description: Large one-piece barbed fishhook with hau cordage. Made of cow bone.
Artist/Maker: Walter Pu
Date of Created: 3/21/2001
Description: Medium one-piece fishhook with hau cordage. Made of deer bone.
Artist/Maker: Walter Pu
Date of Created: 3/21/2001 Description: Small one-piece fishhook with hau cordage. Made of cow bone.
Dimensions: L 8.3 cm, W 5 cm Dimensions: L 5.2 cm, W 2.5 cm Dimensions: L 2.7 cm, W 1.6 cm
Catalog Number: HALE 207 Catalog Number: HALE 208 Catalog Number: HALE 209
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Last updated: December 10, 2019

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PO Box 369

Makawao, HI 96768

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