Hawaiian art and tradition are beautiful and interesting. A luau is a celebration that includes a feast along with singing and dancing. Having students create artwork and traditional Hawaiian garb creates a backdrop for a luau celebration that can be enjoyed in the classroom with students or including friends and family of the students. These art projects can be created with basic materials and accomplished as a group.
Stringing a Lei
A lei is a traditional flower necklace made as a welcome gift for friends and family in Hawaii. It is made with colorful tropical flowers traditionally in Hawaii, but they can be created in the classroom using colorful construction paper and markers.
Gather materials needed such as construction paper, markers, hole punches, string and scissors. Position them in a location easily accessible to your students. Post images of flowers around the room along with pictures of the landscape of Hawaii for motivation.
Discuss with students the tradition of making lei necklaces. Talk about the parts of a flower and how they will be creating their own unique flowers to use when they make their own lei. Have students cut out flower shapes from the construction paper and then use markers to create designs on them. Punch a hole in the middle of the flowers. Use a length of string to string the paper flowers. Tie the string when students are finished.
Tapa Cloth
When the students have finished making their leis, they can create a traditional painting in the style of a Hawaiian tapa cloth, which is made from the bark of trees and then printed or painted on using interesting natural designs. Print out examples of traditional tapa cloth for students to use as motivation (see references).
Using recycled paper bags will create the impression of original tapa cloth. Cut the paper bags into large squares before you begin to work with the students. Gather items to use to print onto paper bags such as plastic circles, squares, triangles and rectangles. Wooden blocks or plastic building blocks can also be used. Put brown and black paint onto paper plates and place them on a work space along with paper bag squares.
Have the students press the shapes into paint and then onto the paper bags. Encourage them to create a pattern or design with the shapes to replicate traditional tapa cloth. When the students are finished, hang the tapa cloth around the room.
Hawaiian Luau
A Hawaiian luau is a special way to celebrate an occasion. Have a luau in the classroom in celebration of a special day. Have students wear their leis, eat their lunches in the classroom and look at their tapa cloths around the room. Play traditional Hawaiian music and provide some traditional Hawaiian foods for students to try.
Cut strips from leftover paper bags from the tapa project to create grass skirts. Cut the bags into strips, then either tape or staple the strips of paper onto the string. Tie the string around the student's waist and have them dance to the Hawaiian music.
Tags: paper bags, tapa cloth, along with, around room, construction paper, Have students