Bark Cloth

A rectangular Hawaiian bark cloth (kapa), made of the inner bark of a tree. One side of the bark cloth has a central decorative motif of geometric designs in black and red. One edge has a panel of repeating squares in dark and light brown/red. The line designs were created with bamboo kapa liners (lapa) and freehand. Smaller dotted and waved designs between the larger linear elements could have been made either freehand or with bamboo stamps (‘ohe kāpala). 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.