History Of Lei Making

torito Ancient Hawaiian chiefs wore elaborate lei made of feathers, teeth, and bone to display high status.

torito Lei making was deeply intertwined with hula and spiritual devotion to the forest goddess Laka.

Fun Facts

Fun Fact

Feathers of royalty: The ancient Hawaiian lei hulu made of rare mamo bird feathers was reserved exclusively for high-ranking chiefs.

Quizzes

Quiz

What highly prized material was used alongside braided human hair to make the prestigious lei niho palaoa worn by Hawaiian chiefs?

Quiz

What did the symbolic act of intertwining a green maile vine lei signify between opposing Hawaiian chiefs in a temple?

Quiz

In Hawaiian tradition, why are lei given to pregnant women kept open-ended instead of tied in a closed circle?

Quiz

Around which year did ancient Polynesian voyagers first bring the roots of lei-making traditions to the Hawaiian Islands?

Quiz

Which native plant's shiny green leaves are traditionally woven into open-ended lei and used to honor the goddess Laka?

Quiz

According to traditional Hawaiian protocol, what is the proper way to dispose of a natural lei that has withered?

Quiz

Which Hawaiian goddess of hula and the forest is traditionally honored during the gathering of plants for sacred hula leis?

Quiz

Why did traditional Hawaiian bird catchers release the mamo bird after harvesting its bright yellow feathers for royal lei?

Glosario

Glossary

hula (noun)
A sacred Hawaiian dance that uses graceful hand movements, steps, and chants to tell stories and honor nature. In ancient times, dancers wore special lei made from forest plants to connect with the gods and bring their stories to life. Think of it as a living history book where every wave of the hand and step of the foot has a secret, beautiful meaning.