Lei making is an intricate Hawaiian cultural practice and personal expression, reflecting both culture and individual expression. Every flower, leaf or other component can have special significance while each style of lei tells its own tale.
Here are a few tips and techniques to get you started with lei lai hilo. Watch this video tutorial from Kaleonahe Kauahi-Daniels KSK’91 to learn how to create a traditional ti leaf lei.
Ti Leaf
Ti Leaf or Ki was introduced to Hawaii by Polynesians prior to 1778 and used as a sacred symbol representing both high rank and divine power in ancient rituals performed by Kahuna (ancient religious priests). Ti Leaf Leis are among the most durable forms of lei, allowing you to wear open-ended styles like Maile or tied at both ends to close it off completely; their twisting adds elegance and beauty.
Lauae Leaf
A lei haku can be created using various flower blossoms and multicolored foliage, including red baby roses, white or lavender statice, yellow cushion mums, green orchids and baby’s breath. Flowers are strung together into groups of three or five and tied with a square knot so their firm lips cover each of the adjacent blossoms.
This lei is created using lauhala or fibrous bark from the hau tree (Hibiscus tiliaceus), though other stringy materials like banana fiber, raffia, thread, dental floss, polished twine or strips of fabric can also be used as its foundation.
To create a lei haku, floral and leaf materials must be prepared by sorting and cleaning. Once this process has taken place, stringing can begin; one good practice is removing calyx leaves before stringing starts; usually multiple lengths of bark bark will be necessary per lei for it’s creation and knotted tightly as single maile mailes at its ends – with one or more tips of Ti leaves protruding through loop in knot and tightened tightly as you pull tight the knot tight around one or more ends until final creation is achieved by pushping one or extending tips of Ti leaf through loop in knot and tightening it tightly around itself before starting stringing operation.
Croton
Croton lei construction follows the same steps as lauae or ti leaf lei creation, except you begin with stemmed croton leaves to wind around several times before adding in ti leaves – you can arrange these either randomly or patterned to form this type of lei that can be worn as flower crowns (known as lei po’o) on your head.
As you start creating a lei, grasp one end of a leaf and the wire with your right hand while keeping them together; use your left hand to wind the wire around about five inches from each end and approximately every half-inch as more leaves are added – this should catch all of their stems.
Once your lei has reached the desired length, tie a square knot and trim away any extra wire using scissors. Now your Hawaiian lei is ready to wear or give as a present; to keep its fresh appearance mist with water periodically while transporting. Additionally, store in an air-conditioned room or plastic bag if possible for transportation purposes.
Dollar Bills
Dollar bill leis are an easy and fun way for beginners to create beautiful jewelry. Simply use a long needle or even dental floss and pierce each flower with the needle before tucking them back behind one another until enough room remains behind for another flower to be added behind. After braiding the lei securely at both ends with knots tied at both ends for added security, other popular forms of lei making such as haku braiding (in which flowers and leaves are interlaced three-ply braided into three rows) or wili (twisted together twisted together flowers with raffia).
