Hawaiian Kapa Cloth & Quilts Photos

Kapa (aka Tapa) is cloth made from bark and plant fibers which were beaten, often with patterned tools to convey a design. After missionaries arrived they introduced the art of quilting which the Hawaiian natives soon evolved into their own artistic themes and traditions.

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Hawaiian kapa bark cloth at Bishop Museum. Honolulu, HI.Hawaiian kapa bark cloth at Bishop Museum. Honolulu, HI.Kapa beaters for creating patterns on barkcloth at Bishop Museum. Honolulu, HI.Decorative Hawaiian woven mat at Bishop Museum. Honolulu, HI.
Hawaiian kapa bark cloth (before 1848) at Bishop Museum. Honolulu, HI.Hawaiian kapa bark cloth (before 1848) at Bishop Museum. Honolulu, HI.Kapa beaters for creating patterns on barkcloth at Bishop Museum. Honolulu, HI.Decorative Hawaiian woven mat at Bishop Museum. Honolulu, HI.
Hawaiian Kapa Kilohana bark cloth of beaten paper mulberry tree at Honolulu Academy of Arts. Honolulu, HI.Pounded bark Kapa cloth at Hana Cultural Center. Maui, HI.Hawaiian quilt at Polynesian Cultural Center. Laie, HI.Breadfruit pattern quilt at Hana Cultural Center. Maui, HI.
Hawaiian Kapa Kilohana bark cloth (19thC) of beaten paper mulberry tree at Honolulu Academy of Arts. Honolulu, HI.Pounded bark Kapa (Tapa) cloth at Hana Cultural Center. Maui, HI.Hawaiian quilt at Polynesian Cultural Center. Laie, HI.Breadfruit pattern quilt at Hana Cultural Center. Maui, HI.
Hawaiian quilt at Dole Plantation. Oahu, HI.Quilted bed with mosquito netting at Baldwin House Museum in Lahaina. Maui, HI.Hawaiian quilts at Dole Plantation. HI.
Hawaiian quilt at Dole Plantation. Oahu, HI.Quilted bed with mosquito netting at Baldwin House Museum in Lahaina. Maui, HI.Hawaiian quilts at Dole Plantation. HI.
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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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