Month: January 2018

Word of the Day – Paʻa

PAʻA – Firm, solid, not going to fall apart.

When we make a lei, we want it to be paʻa – the bindings or braiding made firmly so that the lei will not fall apart. When making a lei for hula (or anything else), it must be paʻa so that it does not fall apart or come off during the dance, or any other activity. We would not want to give someone a poorly made lei that will fall apart when it is worn.

We can apply that same lesson to our lives. We can craft our lives to be paʻa, so that whatever happens, we keep ourselves “together.” This can include things like doing regular maintenance on our cars (changing oil, keeping coolant topped off, making sure tires are properly inflated and have enough tread) so that when we need our cars, they are in good working order. It can include regular maintenance on our homes (keeping the roof clean and painted to prevent rust, keeping weeds off the foundation to prevent foundation damage, repairing any toilet or sink leaks to prevent rot). And it can include eating properly, exercising, and getting enough rest to keep our bodies in good condition.

Me ke aloha pumehana,
Kumu Leilehua

Who wants to take a lei saunter?

John Muir
John Muir, 1902

Hiking – “I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains – not hike! Do you know the origin of that word ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, ‘A la sainte terre,’ ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.” – John Muir

Let’s do a lei saunter!

Word of the Day – Ihi

Lei maile
The lei maile is much cherished for its sweet anise-like fragrance.

ihi – To peel or strip bark or fruit, as when stripping bark for lei maile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more lei-making terms with Hua ʻŌlelo Lei, a Lei Maker’s Glossary, available for only 99 cents on Amazon.

Word of the Day – ʻEhipa

ʻehipa – Somewhat crooked. Experienced lei makers carefully sort their materials, and keep the tension even when making a lei so that it is not ʻehipa.

Nānā ʻole nā lima, ʻehipa ka lei. The hands don’t pay attention, the lei is crooked.

“My kūpuna who taught me lei making said that they could tell a person’s mental state by looking at the lei the person was making. If it was ʻehipa, a bit crooked, out of kilter, not evenly made, they would say the person’s mind was distracted, a bit out of kilter. They would advise doing something soothing, and then coming back to the lei with more focus.” ~Leilehua Yuen

Learn more lei-making terms with Hua ʻŌlelo Lei, a Lei Maker’s Glossary, available for only 99 cents on Amazon.

Word of the Day – ʻAʻai

‘A’ai – Bright or vivid, as when colors contrast with each other. For example, when a yellow feather lei is worn on a black velvet holokū (traditional Hawaiian gown), the feathers appear more bright and lustrous, and the velvet appears more dark and rich.

Learn more lei-making terms with Hua ʻŌlelo Lei, a Lei Maker’s Glossary, available for only 99 cents on Amazon.