Protest Mat

(35k)

Makaloa mats were made almost exclusively on the island of Ni`ihau and represent one peak of the Hawaiian craft tradition. They were often decorated with darker pieces of sedge woven in geometric designs like zigzags, triangles, and squares. Decorated mats were called moena pawehe.

From 1860 to 1884, Hawai‘i 's legislature placed a tax on owners of horses, mares and colts (75¢ each), mules (50¢) and dogs ($1). Petitioning newly elected King Kalakaua to help lift this burden, this mat was woven of makaloa and kohekohe stems by 80-year old Ni`ihau resident, Kala`i-o-kamalino. A member of the Sinclair-Gay-Robinson family of Kaua`i presented it to the King.

The tax was repealed.

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