SMALL CANVAS: 10”x14”, 10”x20”, 12”x12”. MEDIUM CANVAS: 16”X20”, 20”X30”, 16”X16”

LARGE CANVAS: 24”X36”, 36”X36”, 30”X40”

SMALL CARDSTOCK: 8'“X10”. MEDIUM CARDSTOCK: 11”X14” 12”X12”. LARGE CARDSTOCK: 16”X20”

From the many ranks of the Iwikuamo‘o, the Mo‘i appointed an Ilamuku to preside over the Kapu. These men, lesser chiefs themselves, were near and trusted relatives of the Mo’i and were duty bound by tradition and law to attend his every waking and sleeping need. In his hand he carries the Kapu stick  called an ‘Oloa, so called because of the white ‘oloa kapa bound around the top. This was made from the very finest white Kapa that was also used to bind and drape the ki‘i of the gods in their temple rituals. The Ilamuku was the Chief Executive Officer of the King; if he caught someone who broke a kapu, one of the many laws which governed the people of old, they were ordered to be bound, executed and burned as sacrifices to the fire of Kunuiakea. The actual execution however, was performed by another under him. His power in observing the law and administering it was so great, that even the king himself was subject to his condemnation. Even the status of a Mo‘i was not protection enough from the repercussions  should a king himself break a kapu of the gods. Armies called Pu‘ulu kaua were sometimes under the command of a single Ilamuku or Pukaua, literally “war leader”. During the onset of hostilities the Mo‘i could call on his Ilamuku to speak about Ho‘olala kaua, or war strategy. The Ilamuku were rigorous in their preparations for battle, employing both reconnaissance and intelligence gathering techniques. Torches adapted as semaphore, passwords and portable ladders are some of the other tools employed by the Ilamuku.

Your print will be shipped to you directly from the manufacturer as it will be made per order. You will receive a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Stephen Koa Kakaio. All sales are final.

Copyright Stephen Koa Kakaio art 2021.