Thought to be the largest piece of Hawaiian featherwork known to exist, the pa'u in its original form measured 20 feet long by 2 1/2 feet wide. As featherwork was considered kapu, and normally restricted to men, this pa'u was one of the only large pieces made specifically for a female. Nahi'ena'ena, the daughter of Kamehameha I and Keopuolani, was asked to wear the pa'u in mourning when the body of Kamehameha II was brought back from England. Later, the pa'u was cut in half and made into a wide funeral pall, which was draped over the coffins at the funerals of both her brother, King Kamehameha III, and of King David Kalakaua.

Traditional forms of Hawaiian featherwork also will be included in the exhibit, including the Elgin Kalani'opu'u and Kintore cloaks and the capes of Princess Pauahi, Queen Emma and Kapi-'olani Nui. Along with mahiole, the iconic, feathered and crested helmets worn into battle by high chiefs, feather lei (lei hulu) and head lei (lei po'o), the exhibit will show the breadth of pieces that were made with feathers.

The exhibit also will feature nontraditional pieces that tell of the impact of featherwork in other places, including featherwork capes made in England in the 1820s.

Feather cloaks and capes ceased being made toward the middle of the 19th century, when bird-catching and feather-working skills largely disappeared.

Featherwork might have died out completely if not for the work of kupuna, or Hawaiian elders. Visitors to the exhibit will learn, through multimedia presentations featuring kupuna Johanna Cluney, Marie McDonald and Mary Lou Kekuewa, about the history of, the birds used for, and the intricate process involved in the art of featherwork.