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The Lei - Hawaii's Symbol of AlohaU. S. State's Garlands Say Many Things
Although multi-ethnic Hawaii's residents come from dozens of ancestral backgrounds, their best-known clultural symbol, the lei, speaks in a universal language.
Residents of multi-cultural Hawaii speak in any of dozens of different languages at home. But the state's symbolic lei -- understood by all -- expresses a message of welcome, friendship and love. HistoryAccording to old Hawaiian legends, the custom of giving lei probably originated in Asia thousands of years ago. Centuries later, no self-respecting Hawaiian chief would go anywhere without being adorned with garlands of flowers. In those days, the blossoms called ilima could only be worn by the high chiefs and it was the sole flower grown specifically for lei. Through the years, however, lei became a tradition with all the islands’ people, and today are part of every Hawaiian occasion – birthdays, graduations, arrivals, departures – and are also given as tokens of friendship. The MaterialsAlthough usually fashioned of flowers like orchids, pikake, carnations and roses, lei are also made of other natural materials such as feathers, leaves, shells, seeds. They are created from man-made material, too, so you’ll occasionally see garlands of candy, little toys or other small objects. Lei-Making MethodsKui, with blossoms strung end to end, is the technique most familiar to island visitors. Variations on this style include stringing flowers such as the carnation with the calyx removed, producing a feathery effect. Lei wili involves winding the materials together.. Pliant materials such as mock orange are popular for these flat garlands which are held together by thread wound tightly around the stems. Humupapa lei are made by sewing the foliage tightly with needle and thread to some background material such as banana, hala or ti leaves. kipu'urequires that stems of leaves are knotted together without using cordage or a needle to make a chain. Haku incorporates flowers into leis made by the hili, wili or humu-humu method. Haku-style lei are the "designer" lei of modern Hawaii. Thick and textured, they're made with flowers, leaves, berries and other natural materials braided into garlands. One of the most beautiful lei is done in the Haku style is the lei po'o (head lei) -- perhaps combining fern, baby's breath and orchids. Hili lei are braided or woven. Pliable materials such as two native ferns and and palapala are best for making this style. Warring chiefs would meet in a heiau (temple) and together weave the green maile vine into a lei to represent an armistice. Island IdentificationEach island has its own lei. Though you won’t go wrong giving friends who live on one island a lei made from another island’s flower, foliage or fruit, it’s a nice touch to incorporate their own. Big Island of Hawaii - blossoms of the scarlet lehua flower Maui - pink roses. Oahu - orange-yellow ilima (These require hundreds of tiny blossoms, so you don't often see them). Kauai - the fruit of a small native tree called the mokihana Molokai - silvery green leaves of the native kukui tree Niihau - tiny white sea shells Lanai - twisted, bright orange strands called kaunao Kahoolawe (uninhabited) - leaves and flowers of beach heliotrope Rules of WearA litany of traditions, superstitions and prohibitions surround lei wearing. For example, it's considered rude to give away a lei that has been given to you (except to a close family member )and when one friend gives a lei to another, the longer their friendship, the tighter the weave. Honolulu's best places to buy lei are at the shops along Maunakea, where you can watch the lei-makers through windows and open doors. Instruction on making lei is offered at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in Honolulu and at resorts throuthout the isalnds. To learn more, go to pacificislandstravel.com/hawaii/about_destin_flowerleimaking.
The copyright of the article The Lei - Hawaii's Symbol of Aloha in Hawaii Travel is owned by Connie Emerson. Permission to republish The Lei - Hawaii's Symbol of Aloha in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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