This page introduces you to the beautifully handwoven fans from across the Pacific Islands, some of which are displayed on the walls of the HPU Library. These fans are more than just functional objects—they are rich with cultural meaning, artistry, and history.
Here, you’ll find resources to help you distinguish different styles of Pacific Island fans based on their physical characteristics, weaving techniques, and traditional uses. You’ll also learn about their significance—whether as tools for everyday life, symbols of status and identity, or works of art passed down through generations.
To deepen your understanding, this LibGuide includes:
• Ebook and article recommendations to explore the cultural and historical significance of Micronesian fans and other crafts.
• Visual references showcasing different styles and their origins across Micronesian islands.
• Links to museum collections and videos demonstrating traditional weaving techniques.
• Information on local connections and how you can further explore Micronesian culture at HPU and beyond.
Whether you’re here out of curiosity, for academic research, or as part of a cultural appreciation journey, we hope this guide helps you discover the beauty and importance of Micronesian handwoven fans.
Here you will find twenty-three beautiful fans that have been cared for by HPU’s Special Collections Department since they were generously donated by Professor Jerome Feldman in the 1980s.
These woven fans are treasured cultural artifacts reflecting the varied regions of the Pacific in their uses and materials-from practical fans for fanning fires to ornate, feathered fans worn to church.
Woven Handfans of Micronesia
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Woven hand fans are an integral part of life in the far flung islands of Micronesia where the use of plant fibers to produce woven products constitutes a major cultural and economic resource. This work documents styles of hand fans from some of the world’s most remote islands including Chuuk, Kiribati, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and the Marshall Islands. While each island likely had their own unique fan styles, new techniques developed and spread in the historic context of the 20th century where successive occupations by the Germans, Japanese, and Americans influenced the production of woven fans. Accompanied by over 60 black and white and color illustrations, this work should be a useful guide to anyone who has an interest in the rich and varied creativity of these exotic islands!
Arts and Crafts of Micronesia
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This image-driven book provides a detailed view of the artwork, craftsmanship, and history of the traditional arts of Micronesia using a unique blend of contemporary and historic collections to showcase such items as carved statuary, storyboards, model canoes, woven mats, baskets and fans. Wavell's book is an excellent comprehensive view of the artistic and practical handiwork of the peoples of Micronesia.
The Art of Micronesia: The University Hawaii art Gallery
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The Pacific Arts of Polynesia and Micronesia
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The Pacific Ocean covers one-third of the earth's surface. Comprising thousands of islands and hundreds of cultural groups, Polynesia and Micronesia cover a large part of this vast ocean, from the dramatic mountains of Hawaii to the small, flat coral islands of Kiribati. Including both traditional and contemporary arts, this book introduces the rich artistic traditions of these two regions, traditions that have had a considerable impact on western art in the twentieth century through the influence of artists such as Gauguin. Instead of looking at Polynesia and Micronesia separately, the book focuses on the artistic types, styles, and concepts that they share, placing each in its wider cultural context. From the textiles of Tonga to the canoes of Tahiti, Adrienne Kaeppler looks at religious and sacred rituals and objects, carving, architecture, tattooing, personal ornaments, basket-making, clothing, textiles, fashion, the oral arts, dance, music and musical instruments - even canoe-construction - to provide the ultimate introduction to the rich and vibrant artistic cultures of the Polynesian and Micronesian islands.
Indigenous Chamorro weaver James Bamba shares his journey of working with coconut and pandanus leaves, blending traditional techniques with contemporary designs.
This LibGuide was created with the help of Library Intern and UH Manōa student, Sara-Lei Nelson, as well as the generous sharing of knowledge and expertise from James Bamba, a Master Weaver of indigenous plant materials and culture from Guam. His expertise was very influential and helpful in shaping the descriptions and cultural context of the woven materials shown here.