Using the natural fibers of Hawaii, Kapa Curious artist, Founder Kekai Kahokukaalani Daunhauer creates art based on the moʻolelo (legends) and history of Hawaii. Kapa, hau, coconut husk, hardwood all combine into pieces that tell the tale from her perspective. Our gallery serves as a glimpse into the passion and dedication to Hawaiian art and culture that inspired the creation of Kapa Curious.
mAIKOHA
Mo’olelo: Maikoha was the father of La’ahana & Lauhuiki and was a simple farmer. Before kapa was created, the ancient Hawaiians used leaves to stay warm. One day, Maikoha became ill and knowing that he would not get better, he advised his daughters to bury his body near a stream. Eventually a plant that he called wauke will grow and before he passed he directed them on how to process the inner bark. So, began the creation of kapa.
Description: Created using 3 types of kapa, dyed with ‘uki’uki, Maui earth pigments, popolo leaves, and then sewn with hau. The images surrounding the edges tells the mo’olelo of the creation of kapa.
hoailona
Hoailona (Signs/Symbols)
Description: The Kapa is hand painted with 3 different earth pigments and kukui nut.
Ku’uipo
Mo’olelo: Ku’uipo (Beloved), just as the moon holds sway over the waves so does your love for me.
Description: Phases of the moon, waves, and patterns, pounded kapa, natural dye (blue flower), acrylic paint and ohe kapala.
8 1/2” W x 15 1/2” H
U’i
Mo’olelo: U’i (Beauty)was inspired by my own struggles of balancing my responsibilities and feeling beautiful and feminine.
Description: The back of a woman showing her corset top. Pounded kapa was sewn to steel frame and dyed with natural ingredients (java plum berries) and black pen. Accents are rounded white shells, stephanotis fluff, tiny wooden beads, and raffia.
30” W x 40” H
Wahine Inia
Mo’olelo: My family uses inia often for medicinal purposes and when I imagine what inia would look like as a person, I always envisioned a gentle and humble soul. It is only appropriate that ‘olena was also included to darken the yellow as that is a very useful medicinal plant.
Description: Woman looking down, natural dyes (inia and ‘olena), acrylic paint, black pen, lacy kapa, metallic gold paint.
35 3/4” W x 48” H
Dancing He’e
Mo’olelo: Over and over the he’e danced in the waves and every time it visited me in my sleep it danced in the dark.
Description: A He’e (octopus) image painted into pounded kapa using natural dye (fully fermented blue flower), acrylic paint, oil paint, and ohe kapala.
8 1/4” W x12 3/4” H
Hawaiian Corset
Mo’olelo: Inspired with the idea of how our Hawaiian Monarchs traveled extensively, knew multiple languages and were known for the beautiful poetry and music they created.
Description: It includes kapa from Molokai, coconut rope from Fiji, squid ink from Spain, and natural dyes harvested from Maui. Of course, since I am a modern girl , I have added metallic gold paint and used acrylic paint to add just the right color.
13” W x 14” H
Moloka’i
Mo’olelo: My heart is on Molokai, on ‘Ahaino to be more exact, and as time passes I see how the ghost of our ancestors’ rejoice and mourn with us. I am never alone as I carry my home with me wherever I travel.
Description: Layered image of Kukui tree leaves are painted on the back, pounded kapa, natural dye (blue flower, java plum, he’e ink), acrylic paint, string pattern, real leaf stamps, kukui skeleton leaves, ohe kapala.
10 1/2” W x 18 3/4” H
‘Ihea ‘Oe
Mo’olelo: ‘Ihea ‘Oe (Where are you)… Where do you journey to? What is it that you are seeking from yourself and the world around you? Do you feel your ancestors guiding you in the shape of Mano (shark)? Do you feel the breeze created by manu'‘iwa (bird)? As you travel in your wa’a (canoe) do you feel brave?
Hand: Kapa sculpture, acrylic and water color paint, natural dye (java plum and Spanish squid ink), designs cut into various parts of the hand.
Net: Naturally occurring skeleton kukui leaves dyed with blue and gray acrylics.
Mini-Pieces : 3 tiny fiber art pieces are placed within the net. Mano (shark), Manu ‘Iwa (Hawaiian bird), and a Wa’a. Viewing the website on your phone will allow you a closer look at the net and spot the 3 tiny pieces.
24” L x 12” W x 4” H
Unknown
Mo’olelo: Sometimes the strength we have is not enough when the burden is liquid in its movement.
Description: The silk wrapped base creates a strong foundation for the layer of wispy kapa pieces. The shape of her kino (body) is created with the use of strings of kapa/wauke.
All colors shown are natural dyes found on the island of Maui and includes ‘uki’uki, java plum, ‘olena, milo nut, he’e and ‘alae.
19” W x 13” H
See Me
Mo’olelo:
Description: Made with naturally dyed fibrous materials called Kapa which is derived from the Wauke plant. The dyes used are ‘uki’uki, ‘alae, and cuttlefish ink from Spain.
Changes
Mo’olelo: Taking a step into the unknown and carrying your emotions, your dreams, and everything you are with you.
Description:
-The form is made completely with kapa string, no wires. The black of the form and of the pieces below are naturally dyed with cuttlefish ink from Spain.
-The ball of energy, emotions, and dreams the figure carries is also made with kapa string. It has been naturally dyed with java plum, ‘uki’uki, and ‘olena.
Bliss
Mo’olelo: The sea has always been the most peaceful and serene environment to me.
Description: A combination of natural dye and water colors on kapa.
Na ‘Iwi o Pele- The Bones of Pele
Mo’olelo:
Description:
Mo’o Wahine
Mo’olelo: Kupua were supernatual beings in Ancient Hawaii who could shift their shape. The mo’o wahine (lizard women) were considered beautiful and captivating. There are love stories between the men and these kupua. For artist, Kekai Daunhauer, the mo’o wahine is a muse and when she lacks inspiration it is a tiny mo’o wahine that she sees climbing onto her i’e kuku and looking up to Kekai tells her to continue her artistic journey.
Description: Kapa & metal made sculpture
Included with every piece of art is a Certificate of Authenticity numbered and signed by the artist, Kekai Kahokukaalani Daunhauer, the name of the piece, the mo’olelo, and a brief description of kapa.