About the Artistic Teaching Partner
- Location: Oʻahu
- All Islands
- Grade Level: K-12
- Category: Visual Art
Artist Statement
I am an artist, designer, educator, and kapa maker—kumu, mahi‘ai, mea okioki, and mea kāpala—roles that ground my work in the living traditions of my kūpuna. Born a diaspora of Hawai‘i in Washington, D.C., I found my way home more than 31 years ago, settling in Waimānalo. My art and teaching are dedicated to the reclamation and protection of Native Hawaiian knowledge, places, and practices, and to inspiring others to uplift and honor these traditions.
Although I was trained in Western art disciplines—painting, printmaking, and studio arts—my practice now centers on fiber and mea kapa, guided by the values of aloha ‘āina, mālama ‘āina, and sustainability. With the support of my ‘ohana, I cultivate the wauke and dye plants used in kapa making. We carve our own tools, process bark, and paint or print each textile with kāpala, creating fine artworks and wearable pieces such as earrings, bracelets, hat bands, and purses. Even our packaging, crafted from coconut fiber gathered at home, completes a cycle of making that begins and ends with the ʻāina.
Kapa is a practice that lives through people. I teach students of all ages—from young children planting wauke for the first time to adults reconnecting with culture—guiding them through the entire process of creating kapa. Workshops in my home garden, at cultural parks, and with community groups offer a space where participants of all backgrounds can feel welcomed, valued, and connected. Many people, both Kanaka Maoli and non-Hawaiian, find it difficult to feel at home in cultural spaces; my intention is to create a place where our shared kuleana to nourish our communities and our ʻāina is felt and affirmed.
At the heart of all my work—whether growing plants, carving tools, teaching students, or creating new pieces—is a single mission: to uplift Hawaiian values through art and practice, ensuring that kapa remains a vibrant, living expression of our people and our ʻāina. I believe that kapa thrives when shared—and that the people who share it thrive in return.
Artist Biography
Page Chang is an artist, designer, educator, and kapa maker whose work is deeply rooted in Native Hawaiian cultural practice. Born a diaspora of Hawai‘i in Washington, D.C., she followed the call of her ancestral home more than 31 years ago and has lived and worked in Waimānalo for the past 25 years. Her multifaceted practice spans artistry, farming, carving, and teaching—roles expressed in her identity as a kumu, mahi‘ai, mea okioki, and mea kāpala.
Before dedicating herself fully to kapa, Page built a wide-ranging career in the arts and education. After reopening her specialty painting and contracting business, “The Painted Page”, she began teaching through the Artist in the Schools program in 1994. Her work has included award-winning arts education television productions, collaborations with theater and production companies, marketing and merchandising initiatives, and exhibitions throughout Honolulu. She also developed and taught schoolwide visual art programs at two Windward schools and later served seven years as the full-time fine arts teacher at Kailua Elementary School.
Page began formal kapa training in 2013 under Kumu Dalani Tanahy and continued her growth through mentorship and collaboration across her ahupua‘a and beyond. Since 2015, kapa—created with wauke, natural dyes, and traditional Native Hawaiian methods—has been the heart of her artistic and educational practice. Her work has been exhibited across Hawai‘i, the continental United States, and in Great Britain.
As a Kumu Kapa, Page has taught throughout public, private, and charter schools on Oʻahu; led multiple cohorts at Windward Community College; and served as a regular guest speaker at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu. She has been invited to teach and present at institutions such as the Pitt Rivers Museum at Oxford University, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Clark College, and Scripps College. Her demonstrations and workshops extend to cultural festivals, community organizations, and art events across Hawai‘i, the continent, and Great Britain.
Today, Page continues to welcome students, families, and communities into kapa practice at her home studio, cultural parks, and community centers. Her work as an artist and educator centers on uplifting Hawaiian values, nurturing connections to ʻāina, and sustaining kapa as a vibrant, living Indigenous art form.
Contact
- Contact Person: Page Chang
- Telephone: (808) 536-9800
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: PukoaStudios.com
About the Artistic Teaching Partner Roster
The Artistic Teaching Partners (ATP) Roster is an adjudicated directory of Hawai‘i professional teaching artists qualified to conduct in-depth residencies in educational settings. Each artist or arts organization has a page in the directory with contact information, a short bio, and an artist statement. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts draws from this roster for arts education programs for Artists in the Schools.