Day 22. Hawaiian Featherwork.

Gathering feathers (for royal capes, helmets, etc) was a profession. Nets and traps were used, as well as a sticky sap that could be placed on likely roosts. When a bird landed and got stuck, the bird catcher could pluck the desired feathers, clean the bird’s claws, then release them to grow more feathers.

“It’s believed it took about ten generations to gather the feathers that were needed for his (Kamehameha I’s) ‘ahu‘ula (cloak). The feathers themselves, the yellow mamo and ‘i‘iwi, the birds were black. And the yellow feathers came from under the wings. Two feathers under each wing, four feathers per bird. Hard to get. So therefore, if you had more yellow, the stronger your mana. So Kamehameha’s is the only one that’s completely yellow.” -Mele Kahalepuna Chun, granddaughter of featherwork master Paulette Kahalepuna

“In the case with Kamehameha to get that amount of yellow feathers would take generations. But his birth was foretold, right, so our people would think ahead of time to collect these knowing that something or someone was coming that would require that.” -Kawika Lum, student of featherwork master Paulette Kahalepuna

The location of the original cape worn by King Kamehameha I is unknown, however, the Hawaiian Reforestation Legacy Initiative has recreated a cape, and this cape is currently housed in the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii Island. You can read more at (https://legacyforest.org/aha-ula).

Learn More about Hawaiian Featherwork at (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CA%BBAhu_%CA%BBula).

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