Lei Styles

Kui: This style is one of the most common, and it is made through a piercing method. The lei maker takes a needle and pierces the materials being used. Each is strung together to create a lei that resembles a necklace. This is often used with plumerias, but other flowers may be used to create this effect.

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Hili: This braided lei form uses just one material throughout the lei. It was often made by braiding together at least three strands of ferns or vines.

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Hipu’u: This knotted form of lei is made in much the same way as a daisy chain. Each stem is knotted together, and the next stem is then strung through the knot to make the chain.

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Haku: This mounted style of lei begins with a braid. The chosen material is then added into each braid wrap to mount it to the strands. Long leaves or tree bark were often used to create the braid.

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Humu: This method of basting attaches the decorative material to the lei with a sewing stitch. By basting the material to each row in an overlapping pattern, the effect is like scales.

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Wili: This twisting method requires short lengths of the material to be held in place with a coil wrapped around them. The wrap is often made of raffia.

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Hilo: With a rope made of two twisted strands, this twisting method of lei making often used ti leaves.