LEi ALOHA Magazine
Lei Styles
Lei (a word for a Hawaiian garland) have been made in many different styles throughout history. Lei makers have used a vast array of materials including hair, feathers, seeds, leaves, flowers, shells and other elements found in nature. We will be sharing the styles most commonly used for modern lei making. The State of Hawaii's Lei Day Celebration (this year would be the 93rd year running) classifies the styles as such:
Haku: Braiding flowers, leaves, and/or fruit in a three-strand plait of fern, lau kī (ti leaf), hau fiber, etc.
Hili: Braiding or weaving of a single plant material.
Humupapa: Plant materials are sewn to a foundation of dried
banana fiber, lauhala, lau kī or other suitable materials.
Kui: Plant materials are strung together through the center or side.
Kīpu‘u: The stems of leaves are knotted together to make a chain. No cordage or needle is used.
Wili: Plant materials are placed on a backing of lau kī, lauhala, dried banana fiber or other suitable material and wound with fiber or thread around the plant material and backing.
Below are samples of some of the different styles. We will try to expand on these pictures and show samples of other styles in the future!
Kui Style
Red and pink bouaginvillea with tuberose accents
four strands tiered mix of pikake and white crown flowers
Rope/double strung pikake
Red and pink bouaginvillea with tuberose accents
Wili style
A tropical design of pinks and oranges with plumeria and bougainvillea
A fern lei with a cluster of red, white and yellow tropical flowers.
Yellow calendula, cymbidium orchids and other yellow flowers
A tropical design of pinks and oranges with plumeria and bougainvillea