Living on islands without any ores, Hawaiians had no metal. When they first saw the metal objects brought by explorers and traders, they called the objects kukui after the kukui (candlenut) oil they burned for light. David and Pam Braun have adopted kukui to describe their collection of ulana (weavings) in silver, gold and platinum. The original designs are inspired by Hawaiian lauhala (pandanus) and coconut baskets and by plants important in Hawai-ian culture. Each piece is entirely handmade, and many are limited editions.
David and Pam Braun are goldsmiths who have been working on O‘ahu for 24 years. David originally apprenticed with a master goldsmith in New York, and Pam (a fine arts major in college) apprenticed to David. She studied natural lauhala weaving with Arthur Kaupi‘io. The Brauns sculpt their original models in metal, rather than wax, giving their jewelry characteristic clean lines.
The Brauns’ handwoven designs mimic those of Hawaiian lauhala mats and fans, as well as the finer makaloa weavings. Their coconut frond designs are woven on the diagonal, as are coconut palm baskets. Lashing patterns of sennit (cordage made from coconut fiber) were an art form and have inspired the Brauns’ sennit chain designs.
The Hawaiian Kī plant has many practical and ceremonial uses. It is used as clothing, food and gift wrapping, in fishing lures, and as food in times of famine. It is associated with kapu (sacredness) and was planted around heiau (temples). Wearing kī is considered a blessing, making kī eminently suitable for jewelry.