Being a kapa student and practitioner has given me the ability to grow in many areas.  It has been a personal test of patience and growth. Each time my i`e kuku touches the mo`omo`o I learn something new and am able to experiment using different techniques.  I also enjoy playing scientist using flowers, berries, leaves and roots to make the natural rich dyes.  It’s truly amazing to see what colors can be made.

As makua we want our keiki to succeed and to stay rooted to our culture. My family is involved in many different practices from working at Lo`iloa, dancing hula to making kapa (and a lot in between).  Each of my children help with something, making tools, gathering what is needed for dyes, taking care of the mala wauke, or lo`i kalo, or learning a new song. It helps them understand what is important and why it is important.  Kapa is a big part of their life and watching them as they make tools or understand the uses of the plants that I ramble about make me feel as if I am succeeding as a parent, practitioner and teacher.