Customer Reviews

Arts And Crafts Of Hawaii

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This book is THE place to start if you are interested in pre-contact Hawaiian folk art and lifestyle. It is chaptered and indexed so that it is easy to find exactly what you are looking for. Do you want to know how the desserts Kulolo or Haupia were made? There are recipes. Did you know that there was one style of poi pounder throughout the island chain, but the slightly more isolated Kaua'i actually had 3 styles? There are weaving techniques, the uses of various plants, styles of dress and body modification, and so much more gone over in detail (without being tedious in the least). I plan on purchasing this book for myself after using a school library copy for a project. It's bibliography turned me on to some really interesting archeological work done in the main Hawaiian islands, and on the mysterious Necker and Nihoa islands. There are also many, many illustrations and photographs. Mahalo Nui Loa, Te Rangi Hiroa.

This is a very nice reference book of the arts and crafts of ancient Hawaii (focusing on pre-European contact). In a land of fish, rocks, and plants, arts and crafts tended to be focused on these resources. It also notes the occasions where honu scutes were used as net mesh gauges, jewelry, and hooks.