Kiwalao Cloak, Bishop Museum
Additional Details:
| Cloaks, fashioned by men from feathers of forest birds, were the robes of kings. The birds were caught during moulting season and released after choice feathers were plucked. These tiny feathers were tied to a fine olona fiber net. This cloak, made from the yellow feathers of the 'o'o and mamo and red feathers from the 'i'iwi, is 5 feet deep and 12 feet across. When Kiwalao, ruler of part of the island of Hawaii, was slain in battle in 1782 the cloak was taken from his body and placed on the victorious chief, Kamehameha. |
