James Lum, an expert in lei-making, describes five types of leis: The first type, called kui lau, is made by sewing through the flower. The second type, the wili lei, is held together with raffialike material (the word wili means "to wrap"). A haku lei is made by braiding a single kind of item, such as fern. The fourth type, a hili lei, is formed by braiding more than one kind of material. The fifth type is the humu papa, made by sewing the flowers onto a backing to create a flat lei. Lena Mendonca, or Auntie Lena, as she's called in the islands, makes beautiful shell leis called Ni'ihau leis. They're considered fine art and are often called "the diamonds of Hawaii." Auntie Lena buys the shells already drilled, and uses an awl to remove any excess sand and reopen the holes. Then she strings the shells on cord (figure A).
RESOURCES :
James Lum
Lena Mendonca
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