To Awaken the Kite

Spotlight on artist Lehuauakea (Hawaiian) and her project to revive traditional bark cloth kites.

Another of Lehuauakea’s kites (2023-07-29) by Robert FranklinNative Arts and Cultures Foundation - Center for Native Arts and Cultures

A traditional kapa (barkcloth) kite

On July 29, 2023, the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation hosted LIFT awardee Lehuauakea at The Center for a presentation and celebration of their traditional kapa (barkcloth) kite recreation project.

Lehuauakea with her completed project (2023-07-29) by Robert FranklinNative Arts and Cultures Foundation - Center for Native Arts and Cultures

Lehuauakea

Lehuauakea is a māhū mixed-Native Hawaiian interdisciplinary artist and kapa maker from Pāpaʻikou on Moku O Keawe, the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.

Lehuauakea give a thumbs up (2023-07-29) by Robert FranklinNative Arts and Cultures Foundation - Center for Native Arts and Cultures

Continuing Traditions

Through a range of traditional Kanaka Maoli craft-based media, their art addresses cultural and biological ecologies, Indigenous
identity, and contemporary environmental degradation.

KALO Hawaiian Civic Club table (2023-07-29) by Robert FranklinNative Arts and Cultures Foundation - Center for Native Arts and Cultures

KALO Hawaiian Civic Club

In partnership with the KALO Hawaiian Civic Club, Lehuauakea invited the community to view her  LIFT project, “E Hoʻāla Ka Lupe: To Awaken the Kite”.

traditional Hawaiian kite, Robert Franklin, 2023-07-29, From the collection of: Native Arts and Cultures Foundation - Center for Native Arts and Cultures
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More kapa kites by Lehuauakea, Robert Franklin, 2023-07-29, From the collection of: Native Arts and Cultures Foundation - Center for Native Arts and Cultures
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Native Hawaiian kite, Robert Franklin, 2023-07-29, From the collection of: Native Arts and Cultures Foundation - Center for Native Arts and Cultures
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A Kapa bark cloth kite, Robert Franklin, 2023-07-29, From the collection of: Native Arts and Cultures Foundation - Center for Native Arts and Cultures
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The project is dedicated to the revival and recreation of traditional Native Hawaiian kites, or lupe. Addressing the overwhelming absence of information and limited old samples of Hawaiian kites, the project aims to begin bringing this craft practice back to Kanaka Maoli people using traditional construction methods and materials, including kapa (bark cloth), gathered fiber for cordage, and natural pigments. 

Native Hawaiian kites, or lupe (2023-07-29) by Robert FranklinNative Arts and Cultures Foundation - Center for Native Arts and Cultures

Seeking to address complex subjects of mixed identity

Through a range of traditional Kanaka Maoli craft-based media, their art addresses cultural and biological ecologies, Indigenous identity, and contemporary environmental degradation.

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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