Palapalai I

The Story

The palapalai pieces began with papermaking. Using old Maui News newspapers and unsellable books from the Friends of the Library bookstore, I started creating handmade paper. I continue to experiment adding ground Maui “red dirt” from our yard to color the pages.

Looking for ways to print on this textured surface, I remembered the gyotaku technique — the traditional Japanese art of printing fish with sumi ink — that I'd learned about a few years prior when we took my father-in-law deep sea fishing for his birthday. The delicate fronds of palapalai ferns in our yard seemed perfect for experimenting with this method. When the sumi ink prints felt too stark on their own, I introduced watercolors, adding the subtle greens that echo how these ferns appear in the dappled shade of our garden.

Print Details

• Paper & Process: Museum-quality giclée prints of original artwork made with sumi ink and watercolor on handmade paper crafted from Maui News newspapers and rescued book pages

• Edition: Each print comes with a signed certificate of authenticity

• Sizing Note: These botanical prints do not include white borders, allowing the color of the handmade paper to extend to the edge.

• Available Sizes:

  • 4x6

  • 8x12

  • 16x24

Care Instructions

• Always handle prints with clean, dry hands

• Handle prints by edges when unframed

• Store flat in a clean, dry place

Shipping & Packaging

• Prints up to 8×10" come placed on supportive backing board in clear, acid-free plastic sleeves

• Larger prints are carefully rolled in Glassine sheets and shipped in secure mailing tubes

• I carefully package all prints from my home in Lahaina, Maui

• Each print comes with a certificate of authenticity and hand-written thank-you note

• Shipping time varies by destination, but you'll receive a USPS tracking number as soon as your print ships, so you can follow your print's journey from Hawaii to your doorstep

Framing Recommendations

The most common sizes (4x5, 5x7, 8x10, 11x14) fit into off-the-shelf frames, and less common sizes are easily available through Amazon, while custom framing is available at local frame shops for larger sizes or specialty presentations.

When framing, I recommend using UV-protective glass or acrylic to shield your print from sun damage. Regular glass works well for indoor spaces away from direct sunlight, while museum glass offers maximum protection and reduced glare.

For a professional finish, consider working with a local frame shop, where experts can guide you through options like float mounting (where the print appears to hover within the frame) or traditional matting to enhance the presentation of your piece.