Tapa Haku || Arts and Crafts

These handmade Tapa Hat Hakus are one of Grandma Sita’s signature creations. She uses leftover scraps of tapa cloth, pieces that others might throw away, and folds, shapes, and layers them into something beautiful. What others see as waste, she sees as a chance to create.

Each haku is formed by hand, one fold at a time. The process is slow and thoughtful. She doesn’t just wrap tapa around a band. She builds a full framed halo, weaving it tightly and carefully so it holds its shape with balance and grace. Every fold has a purpose, every layer tells a story.

Grandma Sita learned this skill through years of making do with what she had. She often reused cloth, plant fibers, and old ribbon to create gifts and decorations for church, family, and community gatherings. What started out of need became one of her most meaningful and admired talents.