Nā Mea Kapa
A variety of kapa implements
Kapa is the term used to describe material for both clothing and bedding. Kapa could refer to a sheet used to keep warm, or the cloth required to make pāʻū, or skirt, for hula. Kapa making is a very special practice, requiring rituals and kapu, or restrictions, to ensure the strength of the kapa produced. If kapu is not obeyed, the kapa will fall apart while being made.
Kapa is derived from a process of pounding the bark of plants such as wauke, or paper mulberry, on a wooden base, using a wooden beater and water to soften and bind elements into cloth. Ulu or māmane was used for coarser cloths, usually when wauke, which was prized for its unequaled softness, was not available. Only females engaged in kapa making, and many Hawaiian mele, or songs, refer to the iterative sound of the required instruments as a sort of call from the kapa creators. According to certain moʻolelo, or stories, some kapa beaters could communicate with each other, using a distinct rhythm that identified the person creating the kapa.
Myths of Hina, the mother of Māui, include a story about Hina's kapa making. There was a time when the sun moved across the sky so quickly that Hawaiians did not have enough time to finish their work, let alone dry kapa. To slow the sun, Māui climbed Haleakalā to lasso the sun and tied it to the root of a very strong tree. The sun was forced to move slowly across the sky at Māui's request, lest Māui keep it tied up and under his control.