Ipu Pāwehe

Under the auspices of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), this ipu pāwehe (etched water gourd), believed to date to the era of King Kaumuali‘i and sourced to Kaua‘i or Ni‘ihau, was returned to Kaua‘i in 2025 by the Gregg Museum of Art & Design at North Carolina State University. Thanks to the efforts of Halealoha Ayau and Hui Mālama i nā Kūpuna o Hawai‘i Nei for helping to facilitate the return. This ipu pāwehe was presented to the NeSmith family of Kekaha, Kaua‘i for care and stewardship.