Lei Making Workshops

Workshop Description

Cost: $25 per hour. First session is half price The use of colourful flowers and fragrant leaves as adornment is common throughout Polynesian cultures.  Called lei, hei, pale, ula or kahoa, they have the same purpose - to wear and to share love and respect.  Leis were traditionally made from nature's bounty - flowers, leaves, nuts, seeds and seashells.  These days, because of lack of access to natural materials, artificial flowers, ribbons and even money and candy are fashioned into garlands to celebrate various life achievements like birthdays, weddings, homecomings and graduations. Just as there are many things to make leis from, there are many ways to make a lei : hili/fili (braiding), haku/faku (weaving), kui (piercing), wili/vili (twisting) and hilo/filo (braiding with thin strands).  For the most part, we will be creating with artificial flowers and ribbon, however the same methods are used with fresh flowers and leaves.  Classes featuring fresh materials will be held upon request and according to availability . *Vili & Kui Classes (Beginners) Learn to make ribbon 'lau ti' and 'lau maile' leis; flower leis of artificial plumerias, carnations and orchids; single strand natural shell leis using the vili or kui methods. $15 to $35 depending on type of lei made. *Hei Po'o/Pale Classes (Advanced) For more advanced lei-makers - creating a head lei using artificial flowers, leaves & ribbon. $35 to $45 depending on complexity of design. *Candy Lei Classes (BYO Candy) Ever popular at graduations and homecomings here.  Please discuss candy suitability with instructor before purchasing your confectionery.  Cellophane and ribbon supplied.  $5 per lei made. Let's share some aloha!