The blade, which is damaged and has been torn almost in half, has been constructed from a framework of lau niu (coconut midribs) and woven over with kāniu (the young white leaf of the coconut frond). The woven blade is triangular in shape and flat in form. The sides curve in to form a serrated top corner. The spine of the blade protrudes slightly on one side. The junction of the blade and the kieto handle has been wrapped with a pale-yellow strip of lau fā (pandanus). This width of lau fā has been completely interwoven with a 3 ply braided length of lau ulu (human hair) to create an intricate geometric mata pelē (pattern), used to further decorate the iliili.