Hilo, Hawai`i
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Mo`olelo o na Lei
( Stories of the
Lei )
Calendar * Workshops * Lei Day Pageant * Lei Competition * Lei Links * Lei Songs * Lei Gifts
Lei Day Lei Competition
May 1,
2007
Mo`olelo o na Lei is designed to educate, promote, and preserve the cultural integrity of the art of the Hawaiian Lei. Competing artists are encouraged to research the materials and styles of the lei they would like to enter, and craft the lei to incorporate the mo`olelo and kaona which were so important to our ancestors and kupuna.
Trophies for the Lei Competition were donated by LeiManu Designs. The "crown" of pua at the top of the trophy symbolizes the lei. The trophies are designed as candleholders to represent the light and enlightenment that comes from the sharing of the traditional stories in Hawaiian culture.
There will be two categories: Kahiko and `Auana. Each category will have eight divisions based on technique and including one division for lei which do not fall into any of the other divisions.
For more information, and for entry forms, contact Leilehua Yuen 935-1722 or e-mail.
Kahiko
Judging for the kahiko division
is based on six attributes, plus how harmoniously they go together. A
total of 35 points may be accrued
`Inoa (the name/title of the lei)
5 points
Mo`olelo (the story behind
the lei) 5 points
Kaona (the theme or hidden meaning)
5 points
Hana lima
(craftsmanship)
5 points
U`i (beauty)
5 points
Ho`omalama (respectful
presentation) 5 points
Lōkahi
(harmony of attributes)
5 points
In the kahiko category, all materials must have been available prior to 1778, for example, hau would be appropriate, but not raffia. An exception is made in the case of rare or endangered materials. Substitutes should be used, and an explanation included in the entry form.
Technique Divisions
`A`ohe pau ka
`ike i ka hālau
ho`okāhi
All knowledge is not taught in the same
school
Because terminology can vary from island to island, district to district,
and even family to family, we are presenting here the definitions which will
be used in this competition. Other schools and competitions may have
different terminology.
Haku - three-ply braid. A method of making a lei by using a base material, such as soft la`i, and braiding it while adding the decorative plant material into each wrap of the braid. Lei laukukui and lei laua`e are typically made with this method.
Hili - braid or plait. A method of making a lei by braiding together only one kind of material. Lei palapalai and lei kauna`oa often are made using this style.
Hilo - twist, double helix, intertwine. A method of making a lei by twisting two strands together to form a rope. The popular and simple lei la`i (ti leaf lei) is made using this method. It also is another method of making the lei kauna`oa.
Hipu`u / Nipu`u - a method of making a lei by knotting the stems of the decorative plant material and stringing the next stem through the knot. It requires a very long stem on the decorative material. Some lei laukukui and lei laupohuehue are made with this method.
Humuhumu - sewn to a backing, basting stitch. A method of making a lei by sewing the decorative material to a backing such as lauhala, paper, or felt. Lei bouganvilla and feather hat lei often are made with this method.
Kui - pierce, piercing stitch. A method of making a lei by sewing or piercing the decorative material with a needle and stringing it onto a thread.
Wili - wind, twist, crank, coil. A corkscrew-type twist - as found in Porky Pig's tail and the seed pod of the wili-wili. A method of making a lei by winding a string around successive short lengths of the decorative material. Sometimes a base material such as lauhala, a thick la`i braid, etc. is used to make wrapping easier.
Kamaha`o - astonishing lei which do not fit any of the other categories.
`Auana
Judging for the `auana division
is based on six attributes, plus how harmoniously they go together. A
total of 35 points may be accrued
`Inoa (the name/title of the lei)
5 points
Mo`olelo (the story behind
the lei) 5 points
Kaona (the theme or hidden meaning)
5 points
Hana lima
(craftsmanship)
5 points
U`i (beauty)
5 points
Ho`omalama (respectful
presentation) 5 points
Lōkahi
(harmony of attributes)
5 points
In the `auana category .
Technique Divisions
`A`ohe pau ka
`ike i ka hālau
ho`okāhi
All knowledge is not taught in the same
school
Because terminology can vary from island to island, district to district,
and even family to family, we are presenting here the definitions which will
be used in this competition. Other schools and competitions may have
different terminology.
Haku - three-ply braid. A method of making a lei by using a base material, such as soft la`i, and braiding it while adding the decorative plant material into each wrap of the braid. Lei laukukui and lei laua`e are typically made with this method.
Hili - braid or plait. A method of making a lei by braiding together only one kind of material. Lei palapalai and lei kauna`oa often are made using this style.
Hilo - twist, double helix, intertwine. A method of making a lei by twisting two strands together to form a rope. The popular and simple lei la`i (ti leaf lei) is made using this method. It also is another method of making the lei kauna`oa.
Hipu`u / Nipu`u - a method of making a lei by knotting the stems of the decorative plant material and stringing the next stem through the knot. It requires a very long stem on the decorative material. Some lei laukukui and lei laupohuehue are made with this method.
Humuhumu - sewn to a backing, basting stitch. A method of making a lei by sewing the decorative material to a backing such as lauhala, paper, or felt. Lei bouganvilla and feather hat lei often are made with this method.
Kui - pierce, piercing stitch. A method of making a lei by sewing or piercing the decorative material with a needle and stringing it onto a thread.
Wili - wind, twist, crank, coil. A corkscrew-type twist - as found in Porky Pig's tail and the seed pod of the wili-wili. A method of making a lei by winding a string around successive short lengths of the decorative material. Sometimes a base material such as lauhala, a thick la`i braid, etc. is used to make wrapping easier.
Kamaha`o - astonishing lei which do not fit any of the other categories.
The Mo`olelo o nā Lei series of programs was created to preserve, perpetuate, and teach the cultural traditions of Hawaiian lei. The series is funded in part by the Hawai`i Tourism Authority, CPEP, and Destination Hilo. Additional funding comes from the Pāhala Plantation Cottages, Ka`u Calendar, Keoki Kahumoku, LeiManu Designs, Yuen Media Services, and Pacific Islands Shipping & Trading.
Mahalo to
County of Hawai`i Department of Research and
Development
County Product Enrichment Program
Pacific Islands Shipping & Trading
Sadorra Floral
Ka`ahele Hawai`i is an electronic magazine of Hawai`i Island. We hope to provide material of interest and usefulness to readers both on and off Ka Moku Hawai`i. It is currently under development as the first website designed and managed by Yuen Media Services. We would like to invite YOU, the reader, to participate in the development of this site. Please let us know of any suggestions you may have to make this site more useful and enjoyable. Mahalo, Leilehua Yuen.