Hawaiian Women’s Fashions: Kapa, Cotton and Silk

A fascinating chronicle of the fabrics, garments, and styles of Hawai‘i, interwoven with stories of the islands and its people, from traditional Hawaiian kapa and natural adornments to historic royalty and contemporary designers. Tracing the evolution of Hawaiian women’s clothing through changing cultural landscapes, the book explores the enduring significance of garments such as the holokū and muʻumuʻu.

Includes black-and-white historical photos from the Bishop Museum and photographs from the collection of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts Hawai‘i. The book also features vibrant images of Hawaiian holokū and the mu‘uuʻu from the author’s personal collection. 

About the Author
Agnes Terao-Guiala, a retired English teacher, grew up in Paukukalo on the island of Maui. Inspired by her love for the satin holokū work by the teenage hula dancers and by the young women who were members of the school May Day Courts, she began researching the origin and evolution of this Hawaiian garment about eighteen years ago. Over the years, her research led her to collect more than 200 Hawaiian women’s garments, some of which are featured in this book

Published by Agnes Terao-Guiala
Distributed by Kamehameha Publishing

Softcover. 2019. 9 x 11.5". 288 pp.