Lei Making Methods

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• kui: This style of lei is one of the most common. flowers are pierced with a needle than pulled onto a string.  This is often used with plumerias, but there are many other flowers and seeds that may be used.

• 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.

• Hipu’u: This is a knotted form of lei. Each stem is knotted together and the next stem is then strung through the knot to form a lei resembling a chain. 

• Haku: This lei starts with a braid. The chosen material is then added into each braid wrap to lock it in to the strands. Long leaves or tree bark were often used to create the braid.

• 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.

• Wili: This twisting lei method requires short lengths of material to be held in place with a twine wrapped around them. 

• Hilo:  this twisting method of lei making is often used with ti leaves, and creates a rope effect.