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Lei o Hawai`i
Types of Lei
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Types of Lei
It is necessary to remember that from ancient times there has been a
certain amount of variation in terminology between different islands,
districts, and families. The Hawaiian culture and language are far more
complex, diverse, and varied than would be indicated by most tourist
publications, or even Western school texts.
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.
haku mele - poem, chant, song created as a gift for a loved one. "Braided Song."
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.
hīpu`u - a method of making a lei by knotting the stems of the decorative plant material. Various knotting techniques are used, including overhand, and square knots. Sometimes several strands made in this fashion will be braided or twisted together using hili, hilo, or wili techniques. It requires a very long stem on the decorative material. Some lei laukukui and lei laupohuehue are made with this method. (Same as nipu`u)
humu, humuhumu, humupapa, kuipapa - sew 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.
kīpu`u - a method of making a lei by knotting the stems of the plant material. (See hīpu`u)
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. There are several styles of lei kui. Among them: 1) kui pololei - pierced down the throat of the blossom and out the petiole base. 2) kui poepoe - strung like a wheel so the face of the flowers are directly away from the thread. 3) kui lau - strung side to side forming a flat band.
lei pāpale - any lei worn on a hat.
lei po`o - any lei worn on the head.
nīpu`u - a method of making a lei by knotting the stems of the plant material. (See hīpu`u)
wili - wind, twist, crank, coil. A corkscrew-type twist - as found in Porky Pig's tail and the seed pod of the wili-wili. Two different methods go by this name. In one, the lei is made by by winding fiber around successive short lengths of the decorative material. Sometimes a base material such as lauhala, a thick raffia braid, etc. is used to make wrapping easier. In the other, multiple strands of the lei material are twisted to form a loose rope-like strand.
History of the Hawaiian Lei Forum