The Artistic Collaboration began in January of 2010 and the first phase culminated with a performance at the Merrie Monarch Festival in April 2011. Phase II of the project will include a retreat in January 2012 for kapa makers to share their knowledge and skills, a performance and exhibit at the Maui Culture and Arts Center in December 2012 to January of 2013, and a proposed performance at the Halaua’ola Hula Conference in July 2013 on Kaua’i. Opportunities to bring the project to O’ahu for a performance (and potentially, to Lyman House Museum in Hilo for a smaller exhibit/lecture/demo) will also be explored. This is to fulfill the vision to bring the project across all of the islands. We are grateful to Kumu Hula Hokulani Holt-Padilla for providing a wonderful venue to host the project on Maui and for helping to facilitate opportunities on other islands, in partnership with the Edith Kanaka’ole Foundation.
REQIREMENTS: In making kapa for this project, the following are the guidelines and requirements. Each kapa maker will maintain the integrity of his or her pieces as Hawaiian kapa by adhering to the traditional methods as noted below.
Distinguishing characteristics of Hawaiian kapa:
1. Watermark, beaten into fiber
2. Seamlessness, the result of the fermentation process. No joining pieces by gluing.
3. Small printed geometric and linear designs applied using ‘ohe ka pala or free brush
4. The use of colors from a complete palette of natural colors and dyes
5. Scenting may be incorporated
Description of Garments:
Each kapa practitioner is required to produce one (1) complete kapa garment; pa’u plus belting (cordage made of natural fiber), malo or kihei. Kapa panels may be sewn using natural fiber cordage or thread in the Hawaiian fashion of old. Kumu Hula Nalani Kanaka’ole, Kekuhi Keali’ikanaka’ole and Huihui Kanahele-Mossman will be responsible for dressing all dancers. Kapa makers may include a drawing or description of how the artist envisions the kapa to be worn with the final submission of their piece(s).
Measurements: (Please note revised length for pa’u)
Pa’u – 32” wide and a total of 12’ long (may be 2 or more panels)
Malo – 6 yards (18 feet long) by 12” wide
Kihei – minimum 6 feet long and width optional (15” to 39”+)
Kapa makers will be asked to provide their preference on the type of garment they will commit to make for this project. Final confirmation of the garment type will be given to each kapa maker based on final discussion with the halau.
Halau O Kekuhi will provide muslin underskirts and tops for dancers. Wrap tops in kapa to accompany the pa’u or small kihei (6’L x 15” W) or other adornments for all dancers are optional.
Deadlines: More information will be provided in the near future. It is anticipated that
garments will need to be delivered to Maui Culture and Arts Center by November 1, 2012 at the latest. Shipping or mailing information and details will be provided.
Cost: The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts has made limited grant funding
available for some of the initial costs of organizing this project; however, funds to
cover expenses for all of the components of this project have not been finalized and are not guaranteed. Kapa makers should be aware that any personal expenses related to this project will be the sole responsibility of the kapa maker. All material and travel costs incurred for this project will be at the kapa maker’s expense.
Volunteer planning group to contact: Marie McDonald, Roen Hufford, Ka’iulani de
Silva, Dalani Tanahy, Verna Takashima, Moana Eisele.