The many colors of Kapa dyes
2 August 2014 | I had the great pleasure and honor of taking a kapa-dyeing class during my recent vacation on Maui. Held at the
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, the class was led by Kumus Lisa Schattenburg-Raymond and Auntie Lei Ishikawa.
Kumus Lisa Schattenburg-Raymond and Aunty Lei Ishikawa leading the class
Maʻo hau hele (hibiscus) for blue Kapa dye
ʻUkiʻuki for blue Kapa dye
Maʻo hau hele afta boiled
Māmaki leaves for brown Kapa dye
Māmaki Kapa dye in action
Kalo ʻEleʻele (taro) for red Kapa dye
The product of my day of Kapa dyeing (though these swatches are actually cotton). Mahalo nui loa to Kumu Lisa and Kumu Lei for such a wonderful class! Da dyes are so nani!
Mahalo to Lisa and Auntie Lei for teaching such a wonderful class and to all my classmates for putting up with the haole. Can't wait to try some dyes at home.
