Different Styles of Leis (2024)

FAQs

What are the 8 styles of lei making? ›

How Are Hawaiian Leis Made? Creating a lei involves various methods, with eight common ways to string and arrange flowers or other materials. These methods include hili (braiding), haku (weaving), kui (piercing through the center of the flower), wili (twisting), hilo (twisting two strands), and others.

Purple, green, and white leis are often made from orchids. Orchid leis are given as a thank you or as a welcome to a visitor. This type of lei is easily found throughout the islands. Maile ti leaf leis are made from the green ti leaf. These leis symbolize appreciation, admiration, and respect.

The easiest and most accessible form of lei making is known as kui—a single-strand lei that's widely recognizable and often given at luaus. Other leading forms include haku, wherein flowers and leaves are woven into a three-ply braid, and wili, in which the materials are twisted together, often with raffia.

A lei haku has at least two types of flower materials incorporated into the lei using a three-strand braid. Nowadays, people mistakenly refer to nearly all lei poʻo, or lei that are worn on our heads, as haku lei; but haku refers to the style of lei-making, not where the lei is worn.

A lei can be worn anytime by anyone. It is acceptable to purchase or make a lei for yourself. When giving a lei as a gift it is customary to give the lei recipient a kiss on each cheek when adorning them in their lei. It is acceptable to wear more than one lei at a time.

Understand the Superstitions

You should never give a closed or tied lei to pregnant women, as Hawaiians consider this unlucky. Instead, you should only give pregnant women open-ended lei. It's also unlucky to wear a lei before giving it to someone.

A lei (/leɪ/) is a garland or wreath common in Hawaii, across Polynesia, and the Philippines. More loosely defined, a lei is any series of objects strung together with the intent to be worn.

So, using a dry paper towel, gently pat dry any excess moisture. Then place the lei into its container. When properly refrigerated, most lei, especially orchid lei, will last for two to four days after they arrive at your doorstep.

A lei is a common symbol of love, friendship, celebration, honor or greeting. In essence, it is a symbol of Aloha. In ancient Hawaii, wearing a lei represented wealth, royalty and rank.

A single lei requires hundreds of tiny shells. This time-consuming work and rarity of the shells make Ni'ihau shell lei very expensive and has become an important source of revenue for residents of the island. The lei are considered fine jewelry and one of the only shells in the world that is insurable.

Which flower leis last the longest? ›

How long can a Hawaiian Flower Lei last? Buyhawaiianlei.com orchid leis and orchid flowers are of the best quality and can last 5-7 days and longer if cared for properly.

Give untied lei to pregnant women: By tradition hapai (pregnant) or nursing women are given open lei, which are not tied closed. For pregnant women, a closed it is a symbol of bad luck and is believed to symbolize the umbilical cord tied around the baby's neck.

One of the most popular leis for funerals is the maile lei. This open-ended lei is made from a vine and has a sweet smell. This was once the most revered type of lei, and is still a highly respected type of lei because of its long history on the islands. Another popular type for funerals is the ti-leaf lei.

The tradition of placing leis around a graduate's neck after they receive their diploma is very common in Hawaiian graduations.

Both ti leaf and maile lei are fitting for any celebratory occasion. Which lei you choose is entirely up to your personal preference! Maile-style lei using either plant offer a full, vibrant garland to your attire. Single ti leaf lei are often more streamlined, acting as minimal but meaningful accessories.

* “Puakenikeni” means “ten-cent flower” in honor of its lei value during the late 1800s & early 1900s. * A Tahitian Gardenia is known as “Tiare” and it is Tahiti`s national flower. *The most popular lei for a wedding is a “Pikake” (Arabian Jasmine) lei for the bride and a maile lei for the groom.

Unlike single orchid leis, the blooms are strung together so that the petals face in every direction, giving you a thicker, longer lei with more flowers.