Event Description: In Moʻolelo Kapa, artist and cultural practitioner Puakea Forester shares the rich and layered stories of kapa through a captivating talk story session. Rooted in moʻolelo (oral tradition), this presentation brings to life the origins of wauke and kapa through the sharing of personal reflections and ancestral knowledge. Through storytelling, Puakea will also offer insights into the tools and process of making kapa, and share about the on-going kapa renaissance which started in the 1970s.
Event Details: This event is free and open to the public. We encourage registration for this event although it is not required.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Exhibition on View: October 25 – December 13, 2025
- Opening Reception: Saturday, October 25 from 5:00 – 7:00pm
- Moʻolelo Kapa with Puakea Forester: Saturday, November 8 from 10:00am – 12:00pm
- All About Wauke! Artist x Farmer Talk Story and Potluck: Sunday, November 16 from 10:00am – 1:00pm
About the Artist: Puakea Forester was born in Kahuku, O‘ahu to a woodworker, and an arts and religions professor at BYU-Hawaii. Puakea attended Ka‘a‘awa Elementary School where her kumu hula (teacher) Aunty Kawai Aona-Ueoka, instilled in her a love for hula, and a kuleana (responsibility) in making the kapa.
"There is profound mana held in the memories of our childhood. One such memory was of being a young girl in the mid 80s, watching my kumu singing with the rustling leaves of her wauke as she plucked the side shoots to make for good clean kapa, caressing them, as you would tending to your loved ones.”
When a child bares witness to those in their community tending reciprocal, loving relations between themselves and ʻāina, they see where they too have a familial place amongst the natural world, thereby reducing the impact of colonizing extractive mentalities and providing them with a whole and meaningful sense of self to continue the work of healing and mending broken relationships with nature for our kūpuna (ancestors) and our mo’opuna (grandchildren). Puakea firmly grounds her life work centered upon these principles. With almost 25 years of teaching ages 2 to 101, Puakea brings with her a bold and joyful background in theater for social change, global & Indigenous women's studies, ethnobotany, and fiber arts.
Mahalo Nui Loa: This exhibition and programs are made possible by the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the County of Hawaiʻi Waiwai Grant, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The Hiroaki Elaine & Lawrence Kono Foundation, Hōlualoa Inn, and our community of individual donors.
About Our Programs: As a place of convergence, the Mill serves as both a community and a physical place–celebrating the power of the arts, bringing people, ideas and perspectives together. We are proud to offer adult and youth programs that focus on awareness of one’s individuality in the contexts of family, community and the natural world. Our exhibitions provide a space to reflect, share perspectives and grow as a community. Our classes & workshops are designed to inspire creativity, foster connections, and provide enriching experiences for all participants. We invite you to join us in the studio.
