Hana Noʻeau (Handmade Crafts - "Make ʻem & Take ʻem")
Kuku Kapa
As a Kapa maker moves the fibers of the wauke plant across the Kua Laʻau (a carved wooden anvil), each pass of the hohoa (round beater) makes the fabric thinner and wider. In the final stage of pounding a watermark may be added. There is no other barkcloth-making society that uses this watermarking technique.
This hands-on workshop allows participants to learn the first steps of the traditional Hawaiian art of making Kapa, or bark cloth. Students will scrape the outer bark off of the wauke, remove the inner bark in one long piece and pound it with a hohoa (round beater) to spread the fibers out. Additional steps will follow as time allows.
The cultural significance of kapa in Hawaiian society will be discussed during the class through storytelling.
Recommended age: 14 and older
Duration: 4 hours
Class size limit: 20 participants
One time slot available:
-
Workshop Sessions 3-4 | Saturday, 9:00 AM - 1:15 PM
Your Instructor
Sabra
Kauka
Kauaʻi
Celebrated as one of the most influential nā wāhine alakaʻi (women leaders) of Kauaʻi, Sabra Kauka passionately shares her love for Hawaiian culture by educating youth and adults alike. As the daughter of an army officer and later the wife of an air force pilot, Kauka gained a global perspective through her experiences living in diverse cultures around the world. She was thriving in her career as a photojournalist in Alaska when the call of her Native Hawaiian community brought her home. Returning to Kauaʻi, she channeled her knowledge, environmental stewardship, and dedication to perpetuating Native Hawaiian traditions to become a respected cultural leader in her community.
Kauka serves as kumu of Hawaiian Studies and hula at Island School and as the Coordinator of Hawaiian Studies on Kauaʻi for the Department of Education. As a team member of the Kūlia i Ka Nūʻu Project at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Kumu Kapa on Kauaʻi, she has educated hundreds of students, inspiring them to connect with their heritage.
She is a founding member and past president of the grassroots nonprofit Nā Pali Coast ʻOhana, dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural resources of Nā Pali Coast State Park. Her work at the ancient Hawaiian village of Nuʻalolo Kai is regarded as one of the most successful curator programs in Hawaiʻi. Kauka continues her efforts to restore cultural sites as a member of the Garden Island Resource Conservation and Development Board, ensuring these treasures are safeguarded for future generations.
In addition to her cultural and environmental contributions, Kauka’s multifaceted career has included roles as a journalist, historian, environmentalist, anthropologist, political public information officer, dedicated activist, and grandmother. Her unwavering commitment to serving her community continues to benefit Kauaʻi and beyond.
“It is my hope that the people I teach grow up to appreciate the beauty that we have here, the unique communities that we have, the unique cultures, and that they want to come home and take care of the place.”