The Leis Of Hawaii Are Skillfully Crafted With Aloha

Leis...

This glossary of terms will help illustrate the skills used to make leis with both Hawaiian words and meanings that describe the methods employed in this ancient decorative craft:

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 - 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. (Same as nipu`u)

humu, humuhumu - 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.

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.

la`i - leaf of the ti plant.

lei papale - any lei worn on a hat.

lei po`o - any lei worn on the head.

nipu`u - a method of making a lei by knotting the stems of the plant material. (See hipu`u)

papale - hat.

po`o - head.

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 raffia braid, etc. is used to make wrapping easier.

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