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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
 Posted - 04/02/2008 : 3:27:14 PM
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| Jim - you look almost like Keoki Kahumoku in that picture. Is this your land you grew them on? Looks like plenty gourds! |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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JimC
Lokahi
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2008 : 05:07:07 AM
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Oh Auntie what a cruel thing to say about Keoki.
No, unfortunately the land is not ours but hopefully someday..... |
Jim
http://www.ohanahulasupply.com
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ypochris
Lokahi
USA
398 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2008 : 10:07:18 AM
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All that black mildew on the outside is why I found it better to dry them in a controled environment- although on some level I suppose it could be considered decorative, I found the blackened portions to be weak and dull sounding, as would be expected from rotten "wood".
Incidentally, to decorate you can scrape through the light brown "varnish" on the ipu and expose it to water, and the incisions you made will turn black in time while the rest remains light brown. Dye materials can also wiped on and quickly cleaned off for a similar effect with different colors- the dye will soak into the incision but not through the "varnish". Noni root makes a beautiful yellow; boil the root in water. Add crushed coral (or lime) and you get a bright red. (Thanks Auli'i Mitchell for that!)
Chris
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2008 : 10:50:39 AM
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| Hardly no way to keep mildew away, that is why should wash it down after dry with bleach & water combination. Chlorine bleach merely turns into water and salt as it breaks down. Wipe it, put in sun and air, and it will clean up well. Unless you have some very low temp oven or drying chamber, I guess..... |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2008 : 02:37:44 AM
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Paul got one book about building musical instruments out of gourds. As I have mentioned previously, he is intending to make a gourd banjo. However, this book shows plenty other stuff, such as a dulcimer made out of one big gour, and them one made about of maybe six or so. Mark, have you evereen such a critter? Wonder how they sound? This book said there are recordings of the instruments in the book so you can hear how they sound. Sitar is built out of a couple of gourds.
And re: ipu, the head of our hula hui said if you have no ipu, can practice with an empty milk jug. That is a great idea. Can learn and then take time finding the one that is right for you. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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ypochris
Lokahi
USA
398 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2008 : 02:59:28 AM
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"Chlorine bleach merely turns into water and salt as it breaks down."
Only if there is free sodium in the environment- not likely...
Clorine bleach is anything but innocuous. I trashed my lungs wiping down a basement wall with bleach to kill the mildew- which it does do wonderfully, by the way, not only killing it but also turning it white. The bleach also ate the skin off my fingertips.
Always wear gloves when using bleach, and use it outdoors or wear a respirator. Avoid breathing those fumes- you don't want to repeat my experience! Coughing blood and still have trouble breathing a year later.
I understand that Hydrogen Peroxide works just as well, and is harmless. Some people even drink the (pure) stuff for health reasons. Next time I plan on using that. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2008 : 05:00:06 AM
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I think bleach is sodium hypochlorite. Maybe da Joka know mo bettah.
Here is some info on bleach from the Geen Home web site:
http://www.greenhome.com/info/magazine/001/safercleaning2.html
Many household cleaners do contain chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach, or sodium hypochlorite, is not an organochlorine. It is hazardous, however, because it is reactive and a lung and eye irritant. Products containing chlorine bleach usually contain trace amounts of organochlorines that cause cancer in animals and are expected to do so in humans. Small amounts of organochlorines are also formed whenever chlorine bleach is used, although most of the bleach does break down into salt water.
So, should you give up your chlorine bleach? Not necessarily, but responsible use of bleach means minimal use. Other types of bleach are available that are a bit less hazardous, but none of them can be used to disinfect. (For more information on disinfectants, please order the print version of this fact sheet.) It makes sense to avoid cleaning products with chlorine bleach in them. They make it hard to limit your chlorine use. Disinfection, if needed, can be done separately.
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Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
Edited by - wcerto on 04/04/2008 08:32:45 AM |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
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