Category: Hawaiian Lei

What’s in a name? Itla-okla, ʻ Umiʻ umi-o-Dole, Spanish Moss

Feature image from Jekyll Island State Park

What’s in a name? Well, in Hawaiian culture a LOT! Names are evocative of the history, heritage, and cultural place in which the named thing exists. This is especially important in lei materials. The kaona, the veiled meaning hidden in the name, is as important in crafting a lei as is the appearance of the material.

The popular lei material (and ornamental garden plant) Tillandsia usenoides, was introduced to Hawaii in the 19th Century. Its Hawaiian name, umiʻ umi-o-Dole [OOH-mee OOH-mee oh DOH-leh] (Dole’s Beard), came from its resemblance to the beard of Sanford B. Dole, a well-known politician of the day.

Sanford Ballard Dole (1844–1926) was a lawyer and jurist in the Hawaiian Islands. He was involved in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy, led the occupying government from 1893 to 1903, and then became a US federal judge. Image Wikipedia

ʻDue to the ease with which it can be grown, crafted into lei, and its beautiful silver-grey sheen, umiʻ umi-o-Dole soon became a popular material for lei making. This same silvery grey color was sought when hinahina-kū-kahakai, the native beach heliotrope, became more difficult to access due to shoreline development. Thus ʻ umiʻ umi-o-Dole came into use as a substitute. Real hinahina is a heliotrope, not a bromiliad. 

Of course, any time something is popular, there will be those who capitalize on it. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries some people began calling ʻ Umiʻ umi-o-Dole “Pele’s hair” in order to sell more. Some even went so far as to claim that it is a Hawaiian plant and a traditional offering to Pele. It is not. Pele’s hair is the spun volcanic glass threads from our volcanoes. The American bromeliad has become a traditional material for lei making, but it is not a traditional Hawaiian plant.

Pele’s hair / Lauoho-o-Pele (NPS Photo)

Just as we Hawaiians wish for our inoa to be treated with respect, it is important that we do the same for the names from other cultures. Itla-okla is one of names used by the indigenous people where Tillandsia usneoides is endemic. I suggest that we start using this as the common name.

ʻ Umiʻ umi-o-Dole, while a traditional Hawaiian name for this plant, hearkens to the name of a person who helped overthrow our Hawaiian government.

“Spanish moss” is innaccurate, the bromiliad is neither Spanish nor a moss, and has its heritage in a derogatory name the French gave to the Spanish.

“Hinahina” is confusing as it refers to several endemic plants.

“Pele’s hair” is a misnomer and applied to this introduced plant is disrespectful to Hawaiian culture.

“Itla-Okla” reminds us of the heritage of this plant which is culturally important to the indigenous peoples of its home range. For them it provided padding, weaving materials, medicine, and other uses. There is a Cajun legend of this plant.

Upcoming Events 2022-2023

While in this new paradigm we have to be mindful that things can change at the last minute, we are looking forward to participating in the following events through this year and the next.

  • September 10, Saturday, 10am – 3pm: He Hali’a Aloha no Liliʻuokalani, Liliʻuokalani Gardens
  • November: He Inoa no Kalākaua, Kalākaua Park
  • May 1: Hilo Lei Day Festival, Kalākaua Park
  • June: Kamehameha Day, Piʻ opiʻ o
  • July: Hilo Orchid Festival, Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium

In addition to the events, we participate in workdays to support the venues above, and we hold a variety of workshops, classes, and training sessions throughout the year.

We are looking forward to seeing you and getting to know you better as we learn and share Hawaiian culture and arts!

To stay up to date, join our mailing list at this link.

Bee careful what you plant, please

Join our mailing list for information on events, workshops, and classes!

With so much of our land now developed, it is important that we plant with pollinators in mind. Here in Hawaiʻ i, we need to be even more mindful. Many popular pollinator plants are invasive and will move into native habitat and push out out endemic species, so please be mindful when selecting your plants.

There are many beautiful native plants that thrive in home gardens and landscaping. Native pollinators already are adapted to them, and with a little planning, you can select plants that benefit our local bee industry, as well as the native insects. While it is true that few of the native fauna remain in human-populated areas, if we do not plant with them in mind, those few will become none.

Remember, native plants are essential for a healthy ecosystem!

Here are some links to help you:

Pollinator Friendly Gardens in Hawaiʻ i

Plants for Bees in Hawaiʻ i

Big Island Beekeepers Association

Come to the Hilo Lei Day Festival 2022! East Hawaiʻ i Cultural Center in Downtown Hilo!

Storm update for Lei Day 2022
Storm Update for Lei Day 2022

Hālaʻ i and Haili

Lei are often associated with wahi pana, and so it is important to understand the place as well as the lei. At one time, the cinder cone of Hālaʻ i, and the forests of Haili and Mokaulele were renowned for the beauty of their deep scarlet ʻ ōhiʻ a-lehua, which were extolled in stories, chants, songs, and hula.

It is important that we understand the distinctions between these places. Today, many people call Hālaʻ i, the puʻ u, or cinder cone near Hilo Intermediate School, “Haili Hill”. It is not named Haili Hill. Haili was the forest at the base of the hill, which extended down toward where the Hilo Boys and Girls Club now stands. The hill is named Hālaʻ i. “Hālaʻ i” translates to English as “calm.” “Haili” is a sudden remembrance, or a ghost or spirit.

The lei lehua is the most famous lei of Punahoa and of Hilo. Many oli and mele honor this lei, and the environment in which it thrives.

The lei hala also is beloved in Hilo, especially in Panaʻ ewa. But it is usually associated with Puna and with Hiʻ iakaikapoliopele.

Hālaʻ i, Haili, and Mokaulele are part of the Punahoa ahupuaʻ a, and their rains and waterways are critical to the plants and animals of this area. The upper portion of Punahoa shares the Pi`ihonua weather system, resulting in the “rain line” you may have noticed, which ends just above Lyman House, more or less at the Boys and Girls Club.

Rains of this area include:

Hukiheʻ enehu, a fine rain which comes in from the ocean at early morning.

Lanipōlua, a fine rain with heavy dark clouds that settles in for the day.

Hālaulani, associates with the budding of the hala trees.

Palahīnano, associated with the blossoming of the hala trees.

Lehua, a chill, fragrant rain.

Kanilehua, a loud, drenching rain, and the most famous of Hilo’s rains.

You can learn more about the rains of Hawaiʻi in this excellent book:

Hālaʻ i [hah-LAH-ee] is the ancient name for the puʻ u (hill/cindercone) across the street from Hilo Intermediate School. It is the home of Hinaikeahi [Hina-of-the-fire], a goddess of fire, and sister to Hinakuluua [Rain-drop-Hina], and Hina of the waterfall at Waiānuenue.

Hālaʻ i was renowned for the beautiful deep red `ʻ ōhiʻ a-lehua which bloomed , and for the strength of its ʻ ohe, bamboo, which was exceptionally long and strong. Unfortunately, when the hill was cleared for development, all of the beautiful `ōhi`a-lehua and the  unique type of native bamboo was destroyed. The bamboo we see covering the mauka side of  Hāla`ʻ i today is an invasive temperate region species which was planted on  here in the late 80s.

Haili was an ancient `ōhi`a forest which no longer exists. Haili church was built from `ōhi`a timbers logged from this forest. The church was then named for the forest, a common naming practice at the time. The forest was pretty much logged out, and then what was left was made into sugar fields. What is now Haili Street was known as Church Street at first, and then when this area was developed, my understanding is that the Haili Church membership either paid for paving and extension of the street, or took a lead in accomplishing that, so the street was named for the church. Or, it may have been named for the forest, as the street terminates near where the forest edge once was.

Mokaulele forest still has remnants near ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, and extending ma uka of Komohana, but with continuing development, even this may soon be gone as well.

Merrie Monarch Festival is almost here!

Hilo turns out for hula in a week! #MerrieMonarchDasWhy! And the Hilo Lei Day Festival crew will be joining the Merrie Monarch Parade on Saturday, April 27!

Our pāʻū unit will feature Pua Kiele and the Maile Sisters, and possibly a dancing pūpū kuahiwi!

Pua Kiele, the Hilo Lei Day Festival pāʻū horse, and rider, Aunty Leilehua.

The Maile Sisters, a set of kiʻi hula, also will join the Hilo Lei Day Festival unit.

Pua Kiele (Gardenia Blossom) was created in 2012 for a show at Hilo’s historic Palace Theater. The show helped to raise funds for the theater’s new stage. He was “ridden” by Leilehua Yuen in her depiction of Hilo Hattie’s performance of “The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai.”

The Maile Sisters were created in 2005 for a Wailoa Center art show to celebrate Lei Day. Since then, they have performed numerous times on Moku Hawaiʻi, and in Japan.

New to Advertising

Aloha no!

We just started using the Google AdSense advertising service to help generate income to support our festival and programs. If you notice any inappropriate ads, please contact info@leiday.org immediately so that we can block them.

And, if you know of some very cool products we should promote, please let us know about those, too!

Mahalo!

Urban Kīpuka Signs LoU!

On an auspicious day, Chinese New Year 2019, the Urban Kīpuka Project signed a Letter of Understanding with the Christiansen ʻohana to take kuleana for an amazing wahi pana in Hilo!

First test site for Urban Kīpuka!

As you can see, the parcel is completely overrun with invasive species. We will be testing mitigation techniques for removing the invasives and replanting with native and traditional species. We will use traditional chants of the area as a guide fo selecting plants to use in rehabilitation, as well as traditional and kanu plants with the potential to financially support rehabilitation of the wahi pana.

To assure its safety and integrity, the exact location of this parcel will be disclosed only to those actively involved in its rehabilitation.

YOU can participate and kōkua through the Urban Kīpuka Project!

Boy lei and girl lei

Maile and pīkake lei with saying, "E lei no au i kō aloha," I wear your love as a garland.

One of the questions I am frequently asked is “I know women wear the flower leis; what kind of lei do men wear?”

See this topic on Quora: Hawaiian Lei

The answer is that men, women, māhū, boys, girls, and any anyone else can pretty much wear whatever lei they wish. The important thing is that the lei be given and worn with aloha.

When I select a lei for someone, the first thing I consider is what the person will be doing, and how the person will be attired, when wearing it. Knee-length strands of pīkake would not be a good choice for someone who will be riding a horse, or surfing. But it might be perfect for a stately formal event, or for hula.

The next thing I consider is allergies. Be sure the recipient is not allergic to the materials used in the lei!

After that, I think of favorite flowers, colors, or anything else I know about the recipient.

There are some additional customs: Only give open lei to someone who is hāpai (pregnant). Since Victorian times, fragrant white lei are popular for brides. Lei hala are favored for graduations, funerals, and people from Puna. Strongly scented lei are avoided as gifts for musicians until after the performance.

Some flowers and foliage will stain clothing, but can worn with a low-cut or off-the-shoulder garment. Those wearing clothing which would be damaged might accept the lei with their hands, and place it where they can enjoy seeing it.

So feel free to give maile to a woman, and roses to a man. The lei is a cherished gift, and should be accepted as such.

Leilehua Yuen, wedding officiant