In 2014, Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) commissioned a replica of the cape and helmet of Hawaiian High Chief Ke‘eaumoku Pāpa'iahiahi.

This cape set is part of a series of 14 capes, representing each of the Hawaiian leaders depicted in “Aha’ula O Kamehameha Kunuiakea.” The collection was dedicated in a private ceremony and blessing at the Kahala Hotel & Resort on Oahu Island on September 23rd, 2015, where it will remain on permanent display.

These intricate pieces were created by renowned Hawaiian featherwork artist Rick San Nicolas based on the painting “Aha‘ula O Kamehameha Kunuiākea” by Brook Kapukuniahi Parker, an artist and Hawaiian historian. Both San Nicolas and Parker are direct descendants of King Kamehameha.

 “The High Chief Ke‘eaumoku Pāpa'iahiahi lived from 1736–1804 and was instrumental in helping King Kamehameha I ascend to the throne as Hawai'i’s first king, but no known featherwork pieces or depictions exist of his full cloak, so I spent months researching the design around the back that correlates with the front sections shown in Brook Kapukuniahi Parker’s painting,” said San Nicolas. “I sought advisement from experts at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu when starting the collection. It is such an honor to work on this project, and it represents a critical continuation of Hawaiian featherwork. Few, if any, other modern pieces of this type are available to the public, and it is estimated in historic accounts that there are less than 30 ancient Hawaiian featherwork cloaks in existence worldwide.”

For information on how you can sponsor a tree in the Hawaiian Legacy Forest, contact the hotel concierge or visit LegacyTrees.org