Kapa
Kapa is a fabric made by native Hawaiians from the bast fibres of certain species of trees and shrubs in the orders Rosales and Malvales. Description and uses. It is similar to "tapa" found elsewhere in Polynesia (the Hawaiian phoneme corresponds to in most other Polynesian languages), but differs in the methods used in its creation. Kapa is based primarily on the creative combination of linear elements that cross and converge to form squares, triangles, chevrons, and diagonal forms, giving a feeling of boldness and directness. Kapa was used primarily for clothing like the "malo" worn by men as  a loincloth and the "pāū" worn by women as a wraparound. Kapa was also used for , a shawl or cape worn over one shoulder. Other uses for kapa depended on caste and a person's place in ancient Hawaiian society. "Kapa moe" (bed covers) were reserved for the "alii" or chiefly caste, while kapa robes were used by "kāhuna" or priestly caste. Kapa was also used as banners where leis were hung from it and images of their gods were printed on it. Techniques. Cultural anthropologists over the course of the 20th century identified techniques in the creation of kapa  that are unique to the Hawaiian Islands. "Wauke" ("Broussonetia papyrifera") was the preferred source of bast fibres for kapa, but it was also made from "ulu" ("Artocarpus altilis"), "ōpuhe" ("Urera" spp.), "maaloa" ("Neraudia melastomifolia"), "māmaki" ("Pipturus albidus"), "ākala" ("Rubus hawaiensis"), "ākalakala" ("R. macraei"), and "hau" ("Hibiscus tiliaceus"). In the 18th century, pieces of kapa were often made of grooving or ribbing. It is done by pushing the dampened cloth into the grooves of a special board. The "wauke" tree is cut and soaked in water. It is then laid on a "kua kūkū" (polished stone tablet) and beaten with a  hōhoa (rounded beater). After the first phase of beating, the kapa is transferred to a sacred house to be beaten a second time, but in a religious manner. Process. Each kapa manufacturer used an "ie kūkū", a beater with four flat sides that were each carved differently. Another way to carve the kapa is by starting on the four-sided affairs, with the coarsest grooves on one side used first in breaking down the bast, or wet bark. Then, the beating continued using two sides with finer grooves. Lastly, finishing touches were accomplished with the remaining smooth side of the  beater. The carvings left an impression in the cloth that was hers alone. After the European discovery of the Hawaiian Islands, Western traders travelled to Hawaii especially for kapa. The process of making kapa was done primarily by women. Young girls would learn by helping their mothers, over time doing the majority of the work, and when older could make kapa by themselves.