Basket

A small, square ʻeke lauhala (pandanus leaf basket) made of plaited leaves. The basket has a rounded bottom, sides, and a narrow opening. There is a thin, woven handle near the opening; the handle has been broken but is still attached.

Based on the original cataloguing, "the basket was used to sell fruit to travelers on the inter-island boats by Kanaka (Native Hawaiian) women".

Basket-making in Hawaiʻi was closely connected to mat-weaving, with baskets often conceptualized as folded mats and mats as opened baskets. Loulou palm (Pritchardia martii) and pandanus (hāla) leaves were often utilized to create baskets, producing circular and rectangular forms through mat-like plaiting techniques. Circular baskets were especially valued for their lightness and durability, varying in size and handle construction according to function, while smaller covered baskets (hīnaʻi lauhala) served personal storage needs.