How to make a Hawaiian Drum | Lapaiki

When Dennis Kanaʻe Keawe started learning pahu (Hawaiian drum) making in the mid-1960s, he was guided by his teachers Ollie Roberts, Clayton McKinzie and Herman Gomes, and inspired by the works of his ancestors. Over the years, Kanaʻe Keawe has meticulously researched and studied pahu collections in Hawaiʻi and overseas with this ultimate goal: re-carving to-scale contemporary drums that feel, look and sound like ancestral pahu, now often too fragile to be played.
Recently, Kanaʻe Keawe shifted his focus towards recreating several Hawaiian drums under the care of the British Museum, aiming to bring back the voices of these ancestors. After supporting his work remotely during the pandemic, we were finally able to host him in London to connect with the collections, including one lapaiki (small drum), possibly collected during Captain Cook's third and fatal voyage to the Pacific in 1778-79.
Here, Kanaʻe Keawe shares with us a moment that had been decades in the making, reuniting his newly carved drum with this lapaiki, the oldest documented Hawaiian drum at the Museum. As he brings them side by side, explaining his process and noticing slight differences, he reminds us of the importance of "having a voice".
Dennis Kanaʻe Keawe is a Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner specializing in pahu making, and based in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. He was hosted in London through the Benioff Oceania Programme at the British Museum, a programme that aims to transform the research, stewardship and curation of collections from Hawaiʻi and Rapa Nui.
Our thanks go to Kanaʻe Keawe for allowing us to witness this moment, and to kumu hula (dance teacher) Laʻakea Perry for giving voice to Kanaʻe's drums, and for providing the chant for this video.

[@bruisedhelmet8819]

I love "...it keeps me out of trouble....", cause it says so much.

[@eaglebreath5]

This man is an excellent artisan and presenter. His words were easy to follow and the quietness of his excitement was enthralling.

[@AvitusNox]

Such dedication to the old ways. The blessing at the end to carry the spirit of aloha with the drum was icing on the cake. I hope the creator feels that he has released something into the world that represents the heritage of the Hawaiian people.

[@bobgraham3289]

Thst was really interesting, and I'm so glad that I'm a member of the British Museum so that I saw it. I do live in Hawaii and will send this video to others who I think would be interested. Congrats and Mahalo to Dennis for doing this work and honoring the past.

[@brad5426]

Excellent video and thank you for sharing this beautiful knowledge 🌍🌎🌏

[@yippee8570]

What a delightful video! The history is fascinating but in addition there is the artistry of a true craftsman who is utterly devoted to his craft. Thank you so much

[@jpkatz1435]

What an absolutly cool GUY. LOVE to see more of him and what he does! THANKYOU B. M.

[@traditionalhawaiianculture]

I just now ran across your video and simply loved it. Highly articulate presentation filled with lively commentary, joyfulness, playfulness, respect and dedication. Richly deserved recognition from the famous British Museum. The drum is a prime example of research dedication and fine work by an expert craftsman. I an especially impressed with what appears to 5-ply braid for the vertical cordage.

[@nontoxicpaint]

Absolutely amazing! And he seems so likeable and down to earth! I love how dedicated he was to the craft and how much he wanted them to be similar ❤️

[@KM-om1dy]

Breath taking talent ✨

[@raymondongolea4663]

In my country and especially the Village I was born in, these drums were initially made for a boat called Lomipeau. It’s captain was Tu’itonga. The drums played the rhythm for Tongans rowing his boat on their way to war. The same drums were used by the people to perform a dance called the Mauluulu to welcome the warriors home. The name of my village is (Pahu) in Nuku’alofa. We still make drums today to be used in our dances. The same wood and carving style was also used to carve the same kavabowls.

[@justwinks1553]

Such a heart and dedication. What an amazing gift. Thank you

[@thomashverring9484]

Damn, I love this guy! His passion and knowledge and more passion :^)

[@plainnpretty]

I’m a woodcarver so thank you very nice story. Thanks for sharing this

[@johnthomasdesign]

Iʻm sure the carver would have loved to see your modern tools! His mind would be blown.

[@Sunshine-zm1fx]

I just purchased a drum earlier today in a resale shop with strings tied like these have. I was wondering what was going on with those strings. Now I know! Thank you, British Museum, for having artists come and do these videos! What a delight!

[@merlapittman5034]

Marvelous! What an artist! I enjoyed this immensely

[@Deipnosophist_the_Gastronomer]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@iaindcosta]

You said it

[@lorawaring883]

NEAT. It sounds good.

[@murkyseb]

That was really interesting

[@Charok1]

the old problem of getting size from pictures

[@themcgeefamily7514]

❤️ 💙

[@bbbb98765]

I wonder where drums came from? I can't, off the top of my head, think of anything in nature that is close enough to inspire ancient people to develop the "skin stretched over a cylinder" idea

[@CollecTortoise]

I've seen people drum on hollowed out papaya's, pumpkins or tree trunks, so maybe that?

[@marszenka]

Our bodies, probably. We're basically "skin stretched over cylinders" and you can make pretty good drumming noises smacking your thighs or stomping your feet. Add some inspiration from natural features (check out "bell stones" if you haven't heard of that before), and voila, human creativity strikes again. I love Hawaiian pahu and this guest with the British Museum made my day. Lived a long time in Hawaii...permanently homesick. Just hearing him talk put a big smile on my face. What an artist!

[@yoo571]

Not in nature maybe, but a possibility would be that someone tapped a skin that was drying stretched on something and it made a sound and the idea came to be

[@iaindcosta]

..eardrum..

[@TheSaneHatter]

Thumping playfully on your doggie's tummy when you give a bellyrub?

[@Charok1]

aloha

[@Elwingish]

Wow he is awesome. But I have a question: he says the original was made by a guy. How do we know for certain it was not made by a woman? Are there any historical records on that?

[@marszenka]

We can’t be 100% certain, but the ancient Hawaiians practiced something called kapu. Men and women were strictly separated from each other in many areas, and the uses for pahu fall pretty much in the male domain. It’s more likely the original creator was male.

[@haumakaa]

Get back the Moai to Rapa Nui, pompous thieves!🗿

[@konstadinosp.]

Next video should be on “ HOW TO RETURN THE CARYATID" 🇬🇷

[@brad5426]

Next video should be MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE YOU LOST 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@SkylersRants]

How do you make a Hawaiian drum? Give him two sticks and a beat.

[@theobolt250]

This is suuuuuuch a BAAAAAADDDD IDEA! Like we don't have enough noise disturbance already. Besides, drums are the worst. Mind my words, the violence rates will go up! Bad idea! Scrap this! NOW!!!

[@graphicgraphites]

I think you forgot your /s tag, sir.

[@lenabreijer1311]

Lol you have never sat in a good drumming experience. Music is not noise. It can create ecstasy and bring you closer to your ancestors and deities.

[@jpkatz1435]

Your BAAAAAADDDDD, is itself a drum beat. You may have noticed some part of ourselves does becomes what we hate.