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.
Conservationists warn that maile, once abundant in Hawaiian forests, is disappearing. Only 30% is said to remain. Continued harvesting of wild maile could result in it being unable to replenish itself.
With graduation and wedding seasons rapidly approaching, the demand for maile will surge. Researcher Katie Kamelamela suggested to KITV4 giving a maile plant, instead of a lei. That way, the recipient will be encouraged to have maile for a lifetime.
Kiriko Redondo wearing lei hilo fashioned to look like maile.
In the meantime, while waiting for the maile to grow to harvesting size, people can make lei hilo, which have a similar look to the maile. Adding lauaʻe will even give it a similar fragrance.
A number of nurseries throughout ka Pae ʻĀina Hawaiʻi offer maile seedlings for sale.
Mahalo nui loa to everyone who came out for Lei Day 2018! And mahalo nui loa to our sponsors, without whose kōkua, the festival could not have happened. Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, through the Kūkulu Ola program, was our major funder, and also is providing major funding for our classes and workshops. The Carousel of Aloha is our fiscal sponsor for 2018. Kapoho Kine Adventures and Basically Books were there in our dire need, and Ke Ola Magazine provided major promotional support, and Dinnie of Destination Hilo got the word out in Hilo and to our island visitors.
Ke Ola Magazine is a long-time supporter of the Hilo Lei Day Festival, and each year hosts our information booth. Read about Lei Day and more!
Ola Jenkins, of Destination Hilo, taught many different kinds of lei, from kui to wili to hilo to hili at the lei making tent. The pile of branches and leaves in the foreground is hau. Hau bark is a primary cordage fiber. Photo by Marcia Timboy.
Petronila Blank teaching lei ka wili. Aunty Joan Wheeler seated in back, teaching eyelash yarn lei.
Our demonstrators, Lōkahi Lomilomi, Ola Jenkins of Destination Hilo, Chris Benders and friends of Open Arms Ministry, the Hilo Orchid Society, Hilo UrbFarm, and those sharing knowledge of our environment also shared aloha for the interconnection of body, mind, and spirit all day long.
Meanwhile the Palace Theater ran vintage movies and documentaries on local lei makers all day.
Please continue to keep them in mind when you are looking for goodies and gifts. These all are local businesses. Money spent with them circulates through the local economy, and their vendor fees help to support our festivals.
After four months of almost non-stop rain, April 30 blessed us with overcast skies and a few gently sprinkles – just enough to keep the lei from wilting. Earthquakes through the night kept us on our toes!
MC Manu Josiah introducing Kahu Leifi Hao.
Lei Day dawned overcast, but the rain stayed away, giving us perfect weather. Not too hot, not too cold, a gently breeze kept it from getting muggy.
The festival opened at 9:00 am with pule (prayer) by Kahu Leifi Hao. Always gracious, she shares so generously, and it is a delight to the ear to hear her ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi!
Last year, Kahu Leifi also shared pule at Liliʻuokalani Gardens for the Centennial of the Queen’s death. As this year a project begins to mālama Kalākaua Park, in honor of the Queen’s brother, it was felt most appropriate to ask Kahu Leifi to also pule for the Hilo Lei Day Festival.
Meleana Manuel and Hula Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa honoring our 2017 and 2018 queens. To us, the beauty of this presentation, before the festival got “rolling,” is that it is NOT the big dramatic presentation in front of everyone for show. It was a small, personal ceremony – a kumu who carries her lineage from Uncle George Naope with grace and beauty honoring two women who embody the aloha of the lei. Sometimes, we confuse the pageantry with the origin. The pageantry builds on the origin, but without the foundation it is hollow. Mahalo to Kumu Meleana and her hālau for always staying true to her foundations, and providing a pā on which we stood to celebrate!
Kumu Meleana Manuel and her hālau, Ke ʻOlu Makani o Mauna Loa made a lovely lei presentation to our 2017 Floral Queen Kahōkūkauahiahionālani “Sammi” Fo, and our 2018 Floral Queen Thaliana Denise Leionaona Aipolani.
Kumu Meleana was the last alakaʻi to study under Uncle George Naʻope, and she carries on his traditional hula with grace and aloha, which can be seen in the loving faces of her haumāna.
As this year the festival fell on a Tuesday, most of the Ke ʻOlu Makani o Mauna Loa hālau members had to go to their “day jobs” after performing. Their taking time out to participate was a true gift of aloha.
Kumu Meleana also teaches and performs in Japan.
Meleana Manuel and Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa
Providing musical accompaniment for Meleana and her hālau was Mr. Ben Kaili and Kapulanakēhau Tamuré.
Always a crowd-pleaser, Kanani’s energetic and skillful hula are a delight!
Uncle Johnny Lum Ho was well represented by his haumana Kananiokalani Neizmen, and “Ka Uas,” a small group of women who are members of his “Gracious Ladies” pā.
Kanani was one of those who made time to come share his aloha for Hawaiʻi before heading off to work his “day job,” which meant bringing along everything he needed for hula, as well as his work attire!
Hilo Lei Day Festival coordinator Leilehua Yuen said, “We so appreciate those who honor Hawaiʻi by carrying on our cultural traditions amid the necessities of modern life!”
Kiriko Redondo and Ka Uas. Selfi by Kiriko Redondo.
Ka Uas, who only use the full “Hālau Hula ka Ua Kani Lehua” inoa (name) when they are performing with Uncle Johnny, had an earlier performance at the Veteransʻ Home, so Barbara, Patty, and Melia danced later in the day.
Their beauty and aloha shone through their hula, and they were able to stay after and enjoy the festival and, with their beautiful lole hula, add to the color and festivity of the event!
Serena Massery represents the kingdom of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau with two hula, Hoʻi ke Aloha i Niʻihau, and ʻUla Nōweo.
Serena Massery, haumana to Kumu Leilehua Yuen, represented the Kingdom of Kauaʻi with nā hula E Hoʻi ke Aloha i Niʻihau and ʻUla Nōweo. Her kaʻi was Hoʻopuka e ka Lā ma Kahikina, and her hoʻi was Hoʻi e, Hoʻi no. Serena is working on her master’s degree in food sustainability through studying the kalo farming of Kauaʻi.
Serena also was part of the “Midnight Decorators,” helping to provide security for the displays, stage, and sound system while making lei through the night. She crafted her lei poʻo and lei ʻāʻī of tī in the hilo style to represent the maile-lau-liʻi, the small-leafed-maile of Kauaʻi. Her lei kīkepa was made by lei hili workshop students, two from Belgium who just happened to be walking by as class began. They stopped and asked what was going on, and found themselves making lei for the festival! Rather than take the lei and have to dispose of them, the travelers donated the lei back to the festival.
Tille Ronsmans, of Belgium, and Manuleʻa Ramirez, a Midnight Decorator and haumana to Kumu Leilehua, craft a lei hili. Photo by Leilehua Yuen.
Kiriko Redondo dances E Kuʻu Lei Lehua.
Another of the “Midnight Decorators” was Kiriko Redondo, also haumana to Kumu Leilehua. Kiriko represented Hawaiʻi Island with the kaʻi and hoʻi E Kuʻu Lei Lehua, and the hula Nani Haili Pō i ka Lehua.
Kiriko is an alakaʻi to Kumu Leilehua, and teaches Hawaiian culture and arts, as well as hula, in Korea.
Kiriko originally studied with Yoshiko Sensei of Yokohama. When Kiriko expressed a desire to challenge herself with further study in Hawaiʻi, Yoshiko Sensei gave her permission to move to Kumu Leilehua’s hālau in Hilo. Kiriko now travels between Korea and Hilo to pursue her studies.
Pualani Johnson as Liliʻuokalani
Historical figures came in for a visit. Pualani Johnson reprised her role as Liliʻuokalani, The last monarch of the Hawaiian Islands. Pualani has portrayed the queen numerous times, and has steeped herself in the history and heritage of the queen.
Before and after her presentation, she strolled the park, in character, interacting with festival attendees, educating people in the most gracious manner regarding the history of the Hawaiian Islands.
Last year, during events at Liliʻuokalani Gardens, and at the Church of the Holy Apolstles, Pualani portrayed the Queen for the commemoration of the centennial of the monarch’s passing.
Spencer’s Invincibles
Spencer’s Invincibles joined us, as part of the story of an often-neglected lei – the lei manō. Spencer’s Invincibles were a Hilo militia privately funded and mustered by Thomas Spencer (portrayed by Joel Kelly) to fight in the American Civil War.
Kumu Leilehua Yuen presented the hula He Motu ta Ura, which had been used as a victory chant by Kalaniʻōpuʻu. Her Kaʻi was Hoʻopuka e ka Lā i Kai o ʻUnulau. Her hoʻi was Hoʻi e, Hoʻi no.
We were honored by the support of K.T. Cannon-Egar and the Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens, who joined us for the first time this year. We so admire all of her work with Liliʻuokalani Gardens, and now K.T. is helping us to create a Friends of Kalākaua Park!
At the Hilo Lei Day Festival, when we say “Green Room,” we mean it!
Hawaiʻi Ponoʻi – Closing the 2018 Hilo Lei Day Festival
It was nice to see the Lei Nui back for Lei Day, but sad to see it come down that afternoon. It was crafted throughout the night before Lei Day by Hālau LeiManu, and made from hāpuʻu, tī, and much aloha! Last year, Lei Day 2017, was the first time since 2013 that EHCC was not adorned with a giant lei for May the Month of the Lei. Glad to see it back, at least for Lei Day, and maybe next year it will get to stay up all month!
Enjoy a stroll through Downtown Hilo, and plan your shopping and lunch as you head for Kalākaua Park (The festival opens at 9:00am).
Take note of the historic Palace Theater, which will be screening historic film clips of Hilo and lei making.
At the festival, enjoy Hawaiian music and hula – you can even try a little hula, yourself! Make a lei. Experience lomilomi – traditional Hawaiian massage. Learn about the Native plants of Hawaiʻi and how they are used as medicine. Shop for fine hand-crafted locally made gifts.
Enjoy a relaxing day at Hilo’s hidden gem of a festival this Lei Day – Tuesday, May 1.
Kalākaua Street will be closed from 3am to 5pm on Tuesday, May 1.
Hilo Lei Day Festival Parking map – We recommend parking in the ma kai lot by Moʻoheau Park and Bus Terminal. Check out the many shops and places to eat on your way to Kalākaua Park. All of Downtown Hilo is smaller than many malls, so the walking is easy! The Palace Theater will be showing short movie clips about our history and culture of the lei – stop in! Hula at the Moʻoheau Bandstand from 11:00 am – Noon. So much to do in Hilo on Lei Day! Kalākaua Street between Keawe and Kinoʻole will be closed from 3:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1. Handicap parking will be available within the closed area. Just show your placard, and you will be directed to the reserved area.
Your pāpale [paah-pah-leh] is your hat. A lei pāpale is a lei you wear on your hat. It might be a lei haku, a lei wili, a lei humu papa, or any other style. But if it is on your hat, it also is a lei pāpale!
The Pīkake was said to be the favorite flower of Princess Kaʻiulani. It takes its Hawaiian name from the peacock, her favorite bird. [PEE-kah-kay]If you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day Hawaiian-style, start by giving a lei to your ipo! When I was growing up in the 60s and 70s, a double gardenia or carnation lei, or multiple strands of pīkake were the pinnacle of romantic lei. The pīkake was even more enticing if it was wrapped with maile.
I often am asked which is a “man’s lei” and which is a “woman’s lei” to give. Well, just as Hawaiian names are non-gendered, lei are non-gendered. Give the lei that pleases the recipient. Speaking in broad generalities, a lei with pale fragrant flowers (pīkake, white or yellow ginger, gardenia, tuberose) is often selected as a gift for a woman, while a darker, less fragrant lei (cigar flower, maile, tī) is often selected for a man. But these are modern ideas brought in well after WWII. Old photos show both men and women delighting in all types of lei.
The love of beauty is part of the living heart. Male, female, or anywhere in between – we are attracted to beauty.
Once, someone e-mailed me in quite the quandary. He had been told that to show his love, he had to give his sweetheart lei pīkake for Valentine’s Day, and that the number of strands showed how much he cared for her – the more strands, the greater the love! What bunk! By that reasoning, someone who could afford 30 strands loves the girl 30 times as much as some fellow who only has a few dollars in his pocket? Ridiculous.
“No,” I replied. “To show your love, find out what lei she likes best, and then make one for her. Call the florists and find one who will teach you. Also, find out who she is most close to – her Mama? Her Tūtū Lady? Make a lei for that lady, too. When you go to pick her up for your date, give a lei to her makuahine or her tūtū first, then give her the lei you made for her. Be sure you open the car door for her and shut it gently!” I think they are still together.
So, wear and share the lei you love with joy, and share that joy with your beloved!
ʻehipa – Somewhat crooked. Experienced lei makers carefully sort their materials, and keep the tension even when making a lei so that it is not ʻehipa.
Nānā ʻole nā lima, ʻehipa ka lei. The hands don’t pay attention, the lei is crooked.
“My kūpuna who taught me lei making said that they could tell a person’s mental state by looking at the lei the person was making. If it was ʻehipa, a bit crooked, out of kilter, not evenly made, they would say the person’s mind was distracted, a bit out of kilter. They would advise doing something soothing, and then coming back to the lei with more focus.” ~Leilehua Yuen
Learn more lei-making terms with Hua ʻŌlelo Lei, a Lei Maker’s Glossary, available for only 99 cents on Amazon.
ʻehipa – Somewhat crooked. Experienced lei makers carefully sort their materials, and keep the tension even when making a lei so that it is not ʻehipa.