Traditionally these decorated gourds were called Niihau gourds because of their patterns, but it is likely these decorated gourds appeared on most of the major islands. The water gourds were the most prized because they were in constant use and stored the valuable water for the household.

The methods used to decorate the gourds had been lost until Bruce Kaimiloa Chrisman started experimenting in the 1980's and by trial and error he recreated the dyeing method used by the old Hawaiians. It involves cutting and removing the green skin before it has dried and filling the gourd with liquid dye. The patterns cut in the skin react to the dye differently and where the skin is left on, the dye cannot evaporate out leaving dark areas. Where the skin has been cut and removed, leaves the natural gourd color.

Shown here are early Hawaiian gourds. The large gourd on the left was collected during the visit of the HMS Blonde in 1825. The patterned water gourd on the right was collected by Rev. Elias Bond who arrived in Kohala, Hawaii in 1840.