Pewa
Fishtail Joint
Wood:Milo
I decided to use the pewa design on select pieces of milo to highlight the natural beauty of the wood. Milo has a natural burn like streaks that run through it. The variations patterns make each piece very unique, almost like a fingerprint. The beautiful wood was prized by early Hawaiians second only to Kou, to make food bowls (ʻumeke milo), poi calabashes, platters (pā milo), and dishes. The bark was also used as cordage, while the fruits produce a yellowish green dye, medicine, oil, and gum. In a way, the common uses for milo were to make items that were essential to bringing things together. Poi bowl for the ohana, cordiage for tools. To honor its traditional utility, the pewa design seemed the most complimentary.