#feather work

 Feather Cloak, Leis, and Helmets

Birds such as the O’o, ‘Ii’wi, Mamo,. and the ‘Apapane were used by the early Hawaiians to make Helmets,Leis, and cloaks for the “Ali’i royalty. 

Contrary to early belief, the Kia manu or bird-catcher did not always take one or two feathers and let the birds go. many times the birds were too damaged and were often eaten by their hunters.

With the coming of the outsiders to Hawai’i, who brought guns, a new faster way was used to hunt forest birds for feathers, thus beginning the extinction to many forest birds(mainly the O’o and Mamo who produced the Yellow feathers).

Display is located at the King Kamehameha  Hotel