Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 4, 1 April 1996 — Cultural retreat planned [ARTICLE]

Cultural retreat planned

Kapa makers gather to organize, make tools and pounding

A retreat for kapa makers is planned for May 16 - 19 at Pu'u Kahea, the Hawai'i Baptist Convention Center in Wai'anae. About 120 participants are expected. "During the retreat, the goal is to develop the tools needed, gather and prepare dyes, pound the wauke to make kapa, and plan the design and printing of their own Kapa Mo'olelo," said Kawai Aona-Ueoka, chief reviver of the Polynesian art in « Hawai'i. Ln addition the retreat also covers the planting and caring of wauke,

the principal plant used in making kapa. Aona-Ueoka hopes that the conclavewill also be the start of a community of artisans who ean rely on one another for help, information and support. "It's very important to be able to eall on a network of people for advice and encouragement," she points out. Aona-Ueoka started the Kapa Aloha Perpetuation Association in 1994. Members pay $25 a year to the association committed to preserving and researching traditional techniques, materials and products and to educating and defining proficiency for eaeh Hawaiian kapa discipline. It is also dedicated to the development of kapa makers, toolmakers, growers, and kapa, and to marketing kapa products through a wholesale catalog, video performances, demonstrations, web site and fundraising. Those planning to attend the retreat are asked to register by March 30 so resource materials ean be chosen and purchased and made available during the retreat. Prices for the.se items range from $7 to $100. Registration fees are $100 for K.AP.A members attending all four days and three nights and $80 for members attending for three days and two nights. This price includes room and three

meals per day. Transportation from the airport is available. Those not planning to sleep at the facility pay just $20 per day to cover the costs of two meals. For registration materials, eall (808) 237-7072, or write to K.A.P.A. at P.O Box 20, Ka'a'awa, HI 96730 Used in ancient Hawai'i for clothing, blankets and bedding, Hawaiian kapa is onee more growing in demand. Compared to fine muslin, dyed in many hues and printed with geometric designs and unique

watermarks, the cloth is onee more becoming a highly-prized commodity. Hawaiians want it fqr spiritual and religious ceremonies. Schools and institutions seek it for their cultural education units. Hālau need it for teaching and performing; and corporations and business are interested in kapa as fine works of art. Foreign and domestic markets seeking authentic Hawaiian-made products also are making demands for this highly developed

Polynesian art form. "It is my belief that Hawaiians should prqduce Hawaiian kapa, if kapa is to eome back as a renewed form of fine art," AonaUeka said. "Also kapa-making ean be an avenue in whieh native Hawaiians ean eonnect with their ancestors in a way that requires one to practice the values and skills that they perpetuated."