Shoulder Cloth

Bark Cloth

A large, brown, rectangular kapa (Hawaiian bark cloth) made of mamaki (Pipturus albidus). A square has been removed from one corner of the bark cloth. A patterned bark beater with a kapuai koloa (duck feet) motif was used in its production, leaving visible markings in the cloth. The surface decoration is black lines of varying widths. The designs were created with bamboo kapa liners (lapa). The kapa has been beaten very thin, almost lace-like, and oiled.

Kapa cloth is produced from the inner bark of a tree, typically wauke (paper mulberry), which is cultivated, harvested, and processed through soaking, scraping, fermenting, and repeated beating to form and refine the cloth. Patterned beaters may be used during production to create watermarks that can reflect regional styles or maker affiliations. After drying, the cloth is decorated using natural dyes and bamboo implements.

Finished kapa was utilized in various ways, most prominently as clothing items. This includes pāʻū (skirts) for women and malo (loincloth) for men. Kapa was also used as kapa moe (bedding), and for presenting to family members, friends, and individuals of higher social rank.