Making Hau Cordage
Having learned the process of preparing the inner hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) bark to make cordage, from Walter Pomroy years ago, earlier this August Kepa and Uncle Albert Morita went out to the field to gather some hau branches and start the work of processing the raw material for cordage and lei making.
Albert, Mikala and Leinani worked for several days, cleaning the inner bark pieces, changing water and doing it all again, and after about 10 days...
...dried the raw fiber for use in lei making and rope making (the beautiful white fibers are depicted in the photos).
Onaona taught Mikala how to make lei in the wili-style with the hau fiber, and Kepa will teach the group how to make different types of twine and braided cordage. Hau makes good cordage, used in many applications, from ornamental to construction and lashing.
Beautiful hau fiber ready for use.