Kūpe'e Tee
Kūpe'e Tee
Kūpe'e are Nerrite Polita shells that are eaten, prized for lei, and used as an emblem of mourning. They are also used by hālau to hide (pe'e) knowledge or not used by other hālau so knowledge will not be hidden (pe'e) from them. Kūpe'e live under sand around boulders, and at night, they climb on boulders to feed on limu. Kūpe'e are gathered at night when they are feeding, preferably when there is little or no moon. They can "hear" noise and will fall off rocks to hide if disturbed by loud noises or talking.
The term kūpe'e is also used in hula to describe any garland that can be worn on the wrist or ankles. It is often worn by Hawaiian dancers and accentuates the movements of the hands. Some kupe`e create sounds that enhance the performance, and some are plants such as the laua`e fern that are known for their fragrant scent.
Our tees feature our original Kūpe'e design printed on the front and back of the tee. They are 100% pre-shrunk jersey cotton knit and are available in size Small thru 6XL. # KPTB
| S thru XL - $30.00 | 2X & 3X - $33.00 | 4X - 5X - $35.00 | 6X - $36.00 |
