Clothing
and Ornaments
Ancient
Hawaiians decorated and protected their bodies with
soft cloth made from pounded tree bark, permanent
tattoos, flowers and 
leaves,
seashells, bone and animal teeth, and feathered capes,
helmets and necklaces. They also created distinctive
hair coloring and hair cut styles using lime to bleach
areas of their hair.
The
first European visitors to the islands wrote diaries
and drew images that captured the beauty and originality
of Ancient Hawaiian clothing and ornament customs.
While they shared many styles in common with their
Polynesian ancestors, in every instance they innovated
in design and technique and responded to the indigenous
materials at hand using sustainable practices that
ensured future availability of materials. Even as
they adapted to western dress after first contact
with Europeans, the Hawaiians integrated their own
style and flair for ornament.
Learn
more about these designs and materials below:
Arts
and Literature
