Types of lei series: Lei Po'o

Lei Poʻo

Lei po'o (lei worn on the head) is a traditional Hawaiian head adornment and can be worn for special occasions, celebrations, and cultural events. Lei po'o are crafted using various techniques:

Wili: Twisting, winding, or wrapping. The lei is made by wrapping lengths of raffia around greenery / flowers and a backing or braid.

A beautifully crafted Lei Po'o showcasing vibrant red, yellow, and green foliage, intricately woven using the traditional wili method.

Haku: Greenery / flowers are arranged by using a braiding method.

A beautifully crafted Lei Po'o, showcasing the intricate haku method with lush green leaves woven into a vibrant garland.

Kui: Greenery / flowers are strung through the middle with lei needle and thread, raffia, or other stiff material. The materials used in lei po'o can include a wide variety of flowers, leaves, and sometimes even feathers or shells.

A beautifully crafted lei po'o made from coral tree flowers using the traditional kui method, displaying vibrant red hues and intricate design.

Lei making resources:

Ide, Laurie Shimizu. Hawaiian Lei Making. Mutual Publishing, 1998.

Heckman, Marsha. Lei Aloha. Island Heritage, 2002.

McDonald, Marie and Roen McDonald. Ka Lei: The Leis of Hawaii. Ku Paʻa Publishing, 1995.

McDonald, Marie and Paul Weissich. Nā Lei Makamae. University of Hawaii Press, 2003.