NĀ LAU LEI - LEI DESIGNS OVERVIEW
From the grounding presence of Lei Maile, symbolizing our founder's passion for art and education, to the joyful memories evoked by Lei Pīkake, honoring cherished loved ones, each lei reflects a unique story.
Join us as we uncover the stories behind each lei design, filled with aloha and a deep connection to our heritage and surroundings.
LEI MAILE
"After graduating from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2004, I embarked on my teaching career at Kamaile Elementary School in Waʻianae, Hawaiʻi. Each design begins with lei maile, symbolizing the roots of my passion for art and education, intertwined with aloha."
MORE ABOUT MAILE
The lei maile serves as the timeless backdrop for our distinctive designs. Known for its fragrant leaves, the lei maile symbolizes love, respect, and connection to nature in Hawaiian culture. Its elegant simplicity has made it a cherished adornment for special occasions.
LEI ʻILIMA
"I hold a vivid memory close to my heart: watching my mother perform a hula noho, adorned with lei ʻilima. It can take hundreds of petals to make lei ʻilima. Every stamp of the brush in this design holds my aloha, whether it's a reflection of my past memories with my makuahine or future experiences we'll share as mother and daughter."
MORE ABOUT ʻILIMA
Uses: The ʻilima flower, with its vibrant yellow petals, is often used in lei making and as a decorative accent in Hawaiian crafts.
History in Hawaiʻi: Revered by Hawaiian royalty, the ʻilima was once reserved for the highest-ranking chiefs and their families. Its beauty and rarity made it a symbol of prestige and honor. Princess Kaʻiulani, the beloved heir to the Hawaiian throne, had a deep affection for the ilima flower, often wearing it in her hair as a symbol of her royal lineage.
Benefits: Beyond its ornamental value, ilima is also used in traditional Hawaiian medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Significance: The ilima's beauty has captivated people beyond Hawaii, and it is admired for its resilience and ability to thrive in diverse environments.
LEI PĪKAKE
"Every time I paint lei pīkake, it takes me back to cherished memories of my aunty. During my pregnancy with my māhoe, there was a special connection between them, a bond that will forever be etched in my naʻau. That's why you'll often find pīkake painted as double strands on larger pieces—each brushstroke a tribute to the enduring love and precious moments shared with those who hold a special place in our lives."
MORE ABOUT PĪKAKE
Scientific Name: Jasminum sambac
Uses: Pīkake, also known as Arabian jasmine, is prized for its delicate white flowers and sweet fragrance. In Hawaiʻi, it is commonly used in lei and perfumes due to its enchanting scent.
History in Hawaiʻi: Introduced to Hawaiʻi in the 19th century, pīkake quickly became a beloved flower in Hawaiian culture. Its association with love and purity makes it a popular choice for weddings and other celebrations. Princess Kaʻiulani, was particularly fond of pīkake, often wearing lei pīkake.
Benefits: Aside from its aromatic allure, pīkake is also used for its calming properties.
Significance: The pīkake holds cultural significance beyond Hawaiʻi, with its use in perfumery and ceremonies in various parts of the world.
LEI HEʻE
"Through my design, I hope to share the beauty of heʻe in a way that brings joy and connection, without harm to our precious ecosystems. Just like the joy you feel, taking the first bite of your favorite food, (one of my favorite foods is heʻe/octopus), I want you to see each red flower, as a little reminder of how good life can be when we appreciate the simple things."
MORE ABOUT HEʻE
Common Name: Umbrella Tree
Scientific Name: Schefflera actinophylla
Uses: Heʻe, or umbrella tree, is known for its large, glossy leaves and striking red flowers. In lei making, it adds texture and contrast to the design.
History in Hawaii: Native to Australia and parts of New Guinea, the Octopus Tree, or heʻe in Hawaiian, has been part of Hawaii's landscape since around 1900, likely brought over for its ornamental appeal. Despite its beauty, it has become a pest across all the main Hawaiian Islands. Here's how it impacts our environment: It spreads rapidly, forming dense thickets in forests. Its dense foliage creates deep shade, hindering the growth of other plants below. Sometimes, it starts growing on another plant, and when its roots reach the ground, it begins to strangle its host tree.
LEI ʻAWAPUHI KĀHILI
"Also called kāhili ginger or ʻawapuhi melemele, the flower of this lei is renowned for its sweet fragrance. The vibrant yellow hue of the flowers embody feelings of optimism, joy, and happiness. Just as the scent of the lei uplifts the spirit, the color yellow can uplift mood, increasing feelings of positivity. This adds an extra layer of emotional resonance to our designs."
MORE ABOUT ʻAWAPUHI KĀHILI
Scientific Name: Hedychium gardnerianum
Uses: ʻAwapuhi kāhili, or Kāhili ginger, is prized for its fragrant flowers and decorative foliage. In lei making, its vibrant blooms add color and elegance.
History in Hawaiʻi: Originally from the Himalayas, ʻawapuhi kāhili was brought to Hawaiʻi in the 19th century for ornamental purposes. They lyrics of, "My Yellow Ginger Lei" by John Kaonohiokala Keawehawaii speaks about its beauty.
Significance: With its exotic allure, ʻawapuhi kāhili has gained popularity in the global floral trade, adorning gardens and bouquets worldwide.
LEI LĀʻĪ
"In the art of lei making, there are countless ways to incorporate lā ʻī or ti-leaf, each method reflecting the diversity of nature's creations. As I paint this design, I'm reminded that no two leaves are identical—each possesses its own unique shape and shade. Painting lāʻī honors the beauty of imperfection and the strength found in diversity."
MORE ABOUT LĀʻĪ
Scientific Name: Cordyline fruticosa
Uses: The ti-leaf, with its long, slender leaves, is a versatile plant used in various aspects of Hawaiian culture. In lei making, its leaves are woven into intricate patterns, symbolizing protection and good fortune.
History in Hawaiʻi: Indigenous to Southeast Asia, the ti plant was brought to Hawaiʻi by early Polynesian settlers. It holds significant cultural and spiritual importance in Hawaiian traditions.
Benefits: In addition to its cultural significance, ti leaves are believed to possess cleansing properties and are used in ceremonies and healing.
Significance: Beyond Hawaiʻi, the ti plant is revered in other parts of the world for its ornamental value and cultural symbolism. It is often associated with resilience and prosperity.
LEI PUA KENIKENI
"When I was a child, I remember smelling pua kenikeni in one of our neighborʻs front yard. I always thought this flower was so beautiful, and the smell takes me back to my childhood. At my very first workshop, one of my good friends who attended the event made me a lei pua kenikeni, and I was so grateful. I still have the lei today, a cherished reminder of the beauty and friendship that pua kenikeni represents."
MORE ABOUT PUA KENIKENI
Scientific Name: Fagraea berteriana
Puakenikeni, with its sweet fragrance and delicate petals, holds a special place in Hawaiian lei culture. Its name, which translates to "ten-cent flower," reflects its historical use as a popular adornment in the islands.
Uses: Puakenikeni flowers are commonly used in lei making and are prized for their intoxicating scent and vibrant color. In addition to their ornamental value, puakenikeni flowers are also used in traditional Hawaiian medicine for their calming properties.
History in Hawaiʻi: Indigenous to Southeast Asia, puakenikeni was introduced to Hawaii in the 19th century. Since then, it has become deeply ingrained in Hawaiian culture, symbolizing love, friendship, and hospitality.
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