There are three kinds of lei wili. In one, strands are simply twisted together, using an action much like twirling a lariet. We are going to call this “lei kā wili” to distinguish it from the other styles of lei wili. The strands wili, or twist, around each other. The most frequently seen lei of this type is the lei maile.
Another commonly seen is the lei wili papa, in which the decorative material is lashed to a center cord with a wrapping technique. This is often used for lei pāpale or lei poʻo, and so one side has no decorative foliage, and is left flat to rest against the hat or head.
The third is the lei wili poepoe, the decorative material is laid completely around the center cord so that the lei has no “face” or “back.”
The late “Keikilani Aunty Dolly” Josiah shows a lei wili poepoe. Aunty Dolly was one of the early supporters of the Hilo Lei Day Festival. We cherish her memory and miss her deeply. Born and raised in Kōhala, she was a descendant of Joe Perez, immortalized by Sam Liʻa in Heha Waipiʻo.
