Culturally and symbolically, the ipu says much about Hawai‘i and her people. The ipu has a turbulent life, at the mercy of forces it can’t control; too much sun, too little rain, insects, pestilence, or scavenging animals. The ipu that survived nature’s test is strong, useful, and proud. Hawaiians recognized this quality, this spirit, and respected the ipu for it.

Ipu craft transforms both the ipu and craftsperson.