Bark Cloth

A rectangular Hawaiian bark cloth (kapa), made of the inner bark of a tree. One side of the bark cloth is decorated with thick lines and bands in brown and red on a white ground. The decoration is divided into panels separated by broad white stripes. In one panel, a band of three (red, brown, red) crosses the field diagonally. The line designs were created with bamboo kapa liners (lapa). One side of the bark cloth has been stitched on the reverse.

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.