Natural dyes for kapa
Hawaii offers an abundance of natural materials which can be used to add color to kapa. I learned how to identify and harvest many varieties of dye materials, including:
kukui nut tree (candlenut)
maohauhele (native yellow hibiscus flowers)
hau (hibiscus flower)
òlena (tumeric)
àlaea (red soil of Hawaii)
soot from wildfires
‘uki’uki (Dianella sandwicense)
pōpolo (Hawaiian blackberry)
jaboticaba (Brazilian grapetree)
I also learned how to use other materials, such as indigo, spirulina, matcha tea and unripened persimmon to create additional beautiful dye colors.
Mindful harvesting for dyes
While harvesting natural materials for dyeing, I learned how to choose plants carefully and be mindful by only taking what I need in order to leave room for future growth, environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Creating a natural dye bath
Here is a kukui nut root bark dye bath, which had an interesting scent and gorgeous color. The mo’o mo’o (single layer kapa) that I had beaten was long, 9-11 feet. It steeped in the dye bath for two weeks; it had a medicinal scent and gorgeous color. During this time, I enjoyed the melody of the kuku kapa, sharing stories, and catching up with my kapa ʻohana (family). In other lessons, I learned how to alter dye colors using citric acid (to lighten) and baking soda to alter the pH of dyes and create additional colors.
