The Art of Lei Making

TL;DR: Learn about the traditional Hawaiian practice of lei making. Made of various materials, lei making has become a symbol of love, admiration, and appreciation. Whether making a lei or receiving a lei, leis are reserved for all occasions, including birthdays, graduations, weddings, and more. There are so many different lei-making styles to learn about—from haku (braid) to wili (wind), there’s a lei for everyone to enjoy and cherish.

Lei making is a cherished practice deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, symbolizing connection, love, and aloha. Traditionally crafted from a variety of natural materials such as flowers, leaves, seeds, shells, nuts, feathers, and even bones or teeth of animals, leis served as a form of adornment and distinction among ancient Hawaiians. Today, the practice of lei making has expanded, made with the utmost care, appreciation, admiration, and attention to detail; every step in the process, from thoughtfully gathering the materials to carefully stringing, braiding, or weaving them, is done with purpose and intention. Giving a lei is a meaningful gesture typically seen on special moments like birthdays, graduations, weddings, and anniversaries–but lei making is not subjective, and can be made for all occasions!

Lei Etiquette to Keep in Mind

One should always accept a lei graciously
A lei is worn draped over the shoulders, with strands falling in both the front and back
When gifting a lei to a pregnant woman, it must remain open-ended (no closed or tied leis)

Types of Lei

Kui: “to string or pierce,” is one of the most recognizable methods of lei-making, where flowers are pierced with a needle and threaded with string to create a cascading effect. Popular flowers for kui lei include pīkake, plumeria, and puakenikeni. Image source

Haku: “to braid” or “to arrange,” often involves at least two types of plant materials (like flowers and leaves) that are woven together using a three-strand braid. The haku frequently gets mixed up with the lei poʻo–haku is the braiding technique, while lei poʻo translates to “head lei,” so any lei that is worn on the head. Image source.

Wili: “to wind,” involves wrapping flowers and foliage onto a base using twin, raffia, or lāʻī (ti leaves). Wili is known for its durability and versatility–great for incorporating different textures and colors. One might use ferns to hide the string, for that polished finish. Image source Wili: “to wind,” involves wrapping flowers and foliage onto a base using twin, raffia, or lāʻī (ti leaves). Wili is known for its durability and versatility–great for incorporating different textures and colors. One might use ferns to hide the string, for that polished finish.

Hili: “to braid,” but with only one type of material, such as ferns or ti leaves. Maile and Palapalai ferns are commonly used for hili lei due to their flexibility and fragrance. Image source

Humupapa or humu: “to sew,” flowers and foliage or sewn onto a backing of lāʻī (ti leaves), lau hala, or fabric using a needle and thread. Feather leis are a common example of a humupapa lei. Image source

Hīpuʻu/Nīpuʻu: “to knot,” involves tying stems together to form a chain. Kukui leaves are commonly used due to their strength and flexibility. Image source

Lei Hilo: twisting two pieces of lāʻī (ti leaves) together to form a rope. Typically, the leaves are softened by heating, boiling, or freezing before twisting. Lei hilo is a classic Hawaiian lei style that is strong and durable. Image source

Four Tips & Tricks

Keep the lei cool and misted to make it last longer
Add ferns or leaves to cover the string and enhance durability
Choose fresh, flexible plant material
You can soften lāʻī by heating, boiling, or freezing the leaves

Shop Local with Hawaiiverse

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Here are some links to shopping some local lei-inspired items across the 808 state with Hawaiiverse: