THE LEI: A HAWAIIAN TRADITION OF GIVING & WEARING A LEI

[@iHulaHawaii]

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[@danielamonsalve686]

Thanks! I'm planning on having my students give each other lei in a special friendship ceremony and this was very helpful!

[@cuervanegra]

I wore a lei my sister gave me when I graduated from college. It was real flowers but beyond that I don't recall but I'm eager to review a photo when I get home. Thank you!

[@alohabyana]

I wore many lei living in Hawaii, but my favorite was the pua keni keni lei. I had a pua keni keni tree and made lei in all 3 stages of the flower. We bought the tree in Waimanalo,, and it fit in the trunk of the car. When we moved from Hawaii to FL, the tree was too big for the ladder to reach tall enough to reach the blossoms to pick for lei. Oh how I loved that tree! Sitting outside on our lanai, you could smell it’s intoxicating fragrance. My Kumu had a blue jade vine and gave me flowers several times to make lei. I thought blue jade lei I made were absolutely beautiful, and I got a lot of compliments every time I wore one. I never saw many - probably only a couple.

[@annejoleneiran]

also put the opening of the flowers facing up on the left side! it’s because the energy is flowing upwards by the heart

[@00mm9]

Thanks to you, now I know how to wear a lei properly. I haven't seen yellow ginger flowers in person yet, so I hope to see and smell it if I visit Hawaii.

[@karengerber8390]

I was once gifted a shell lei, from a dear Friend, Alan Brice Chilton, who had relocated from Ames, Iowa to Kalaheo, Kawaii, Hawaii. Mahalo.

[@erikbetancourt7194]

I wear a seed/nut lei everyday to remind myself of my hawaiian heritage. I plan on getting a shell lei really soon.

[@jt5439]

I LOVE plumeria lei! One of my favorite flowers. The smell of ginger flowers are also the best! Very informative! I have been living in Hawai'i, Maui for at least 6 years and didn't know. I did it because it felt better. Mahalo Nui!

[@iHulaHawaii]

Aloha JT from Maui ... glad to have helped!

[@cassieknight9758]

I was given one by my Aunt as a gift for singing songs at her 50th anniversary several years ago. This was way before I became interested in Hawaiian culture and language. I still have that lei hanging up on a hook. It was made of straws and felt flowers. I wore it for my birthday luau this year. I've heard that some people oli while giving a lei. I haven't learned the oli yet.

[@iHulaHawaii]

Aloha Cassie~ what a wonderful gift from your Aunt. I love that you still have it and the straws and felt flowers have held their meaning for you. From what I've learned, people do oli (chant) while preparing themselves with lei. The words and melody help the dancer be in a tranquil mindset before a performance. Mahalo for sharing.

[@magalyramos2306]

Thank you for the explanation!

[@progro11]

I have a kukui nut le'i. I give my wife plumeria flower le'i when we visit Hawai'i.

[@mrsdaisymama]

I’ve worn quite a few lei since living on Oahu. I never knew to place it half way, so I will keep that in mind next time! I recently heard when giving lei, you shouldn’t give it to them straight out of the box. We should be wearing it ourselves before placing it on them. Could you confirm that?

[@iHulaHawaii]

Aloha e! Great question. From my experience, if you purchase a lei (bag or boxed) remove from packaging and set aside. You should hang the lei on your arm or wrist to present. Personally, I donʻt wear lei to give away as body heat may alter flowers and cause to brown. I hope this helps🌺

[@tinakemal6307]

My dear lynn I really want to wear lei

[@paulready8897]

Nice video. Made one big mistake, which is never put the lei on yourself. You are wearing a closed type of lei. Last time My wife and I was in Hawaii I went to Maui and got lei’d at the airport (purchased it) and I believe I got either a tuberose or a deluxe one. Also when I went to a luau I was lei’d too. The satin bean type of lei, sorry I don’t remember the name looks very elegant and I know I’ll never be able to afford it. Not sure if the different islands hve their own unique type of leis

[@iHulaHawaii]

Actually, it’s quite appropriate here in Hawaii to put a lei on yourself. No rules there!