Kāpala (Stamping) offers two creative, Hawaiʻi-context art activities:
Fun Foam Stamp Activity – Using foam shapes to stamp patterns onto fabric (e.g. tote bags, hats).
Lau Kāpala (Plant Stamps) – Using real native plant materials (e.g., ti, kalo, banana) as stamps to create nature-inspired designs. The downloadable guides include step-by-step instructions for materials, stamping techniques, and plant selection.
Observation & Design: Students sketch abstract shapes inspired by natural patterns (e.g. rain, mauna, leaf veins) on page 4 of the Lau Kāpala guide.
Plant Collection: Gather fresh leaves/stems responsibly without harming the plant.
Stamping Process:
Set up with paint, stamps, fabric, and protective surfaces.
Practice designs on scrap fabric, then tape and stamp the final piece.
Heat-set the paint to create lasting artwork.
Reflection: Have students explain the meaning behind their design and the plant they chose to include.
Hawaiʻi lifeways & hana noʻeau (artistry)
Botany & ethnobotany: using native plants (ti, kalo, banana, ʻōhelo) as art tools
Design thinking: translating observations into abstract geometric patterns
Eco-art techniques: sustainable materials, natural inks, and artistic practice
Cultural expression: connecting traditional materials to personal storytelling
