page_title: ʻAhu ʻula
section_title: Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu
hierarchical_section_title: ʻAhu ʻula / ʻAhu ʻula in museums / Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu
caption_attribution_description: Hawaiian aliʻi wore these featered cloaks and helmets. Hawaiian Chief's Feather Cloak ('ahu 'ula) and Helmet Bishop Museum Oahu, Hawaii. The chief in the background is Kaiana
context_page_description: The ʻAhu ʻula, and the mahiole were symbols of the highest rank of the chiefly aliʻi class of ancient Hawaii. The feathered cloaks and capes were believed to provide spiritual protection for Hawaiian chiefs. There are over 160 examples of this traditional clothing in museums around the world. At least six of these cloaks were collected during the voyages of Captain Cook. These cloaks are made from a woven netting decorated with bird feathers and are examples of fine featherwork techniques. One of these cloaks was included in a painting of Cook's death by Johann Zoffany.
context_section_description: The Bernice P. Bishop Museum in Honolulu has a 200-year-old mahiole and matching cloak. This bright red and yellow cloak was given to the king of Kauaʻi, Kaumualiʻi, when he became a vassal to Kamehameha I in 1810, uniting all the islands into the Kingdom of Hawaii.
caption: A 200-year-old mahiole and ʻahuʻula
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