What’s in a name? Well, in Hawaiian culture a LOT! Names are evocative of the history, heritage, and cultural place in which the named thing exists. This is especially important in lei materials. The kaona, the veiled meaning hidden in the name, is as important in crafting a lei as is the appearance of the material.
The popular lei material (and ornamental garden plant) Tillandsia usenoides, was introduced to Hawaii in the 19th Century. Its Hawaiian name, umiʻ umi-o-Dole [OOH-mee OOH-mee oh DOH-leh] (Dole’s Beard), came from its resemblance to the beard of Sanford B. Dole, a well-known politician of the day.
Sanford Ballard Dole (1844–1926) was a lawyer and jurist in the Hawaiian Islands. He was involved in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy, led the occupying government from 1893 to 1903, and then became a US federal judge. Image Wikipedia
ʻDue to the ease with which it can be grown, crafted into lei, and its beautiful silver-grey sheen, umiʻ umi-o-Dole soon became a popular material for lei making. This same silvery grey color was sought when hinahina-kū-kahakai, the native beach heliotrope, became more difficult to access due to shoreline development. Thus ʻ umiʻ umi-o-Dole came into use as a substitute. Real hinahina is a heliotrope, not a bromiliad.
Of course, any time something is popular, there will be those who capitalize on it. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries some people began calling ʻ Umiʻ umi-o-Dole “Pele’s hair” in order to sell more. Some even went so far as to claim that it is a Hawaiian plant and a traditional offering to Pele. It is not. Pele’s hair is the spun volcanic glass threads from our volcanoes. The American bromeliad has become a traditional material for lei making, but it is not a traditional Hawaiian plant.
Just as we Hawaiians wish for our inoa to be treated with respect, it is important that we do the same for the names from other cultures. Itla-okla is one of names used by the indigenous people where Tillandsia usneoides is endemic. I suggest that we start using this as the common name.
ʻ Umiʻ umi-o-Dole, while a traditional Hawaiian name for this plant, hearkens to the name of a person who helped overthrow our Hawaiian government.
“Spanish moss” is innaccurate, the bromiliad is neither Spanish nor a moss, and has its heritage in a derogatory name the French gave to the Spanish.
“Hinahina” is confusing as it refers to several endemic plants.
“Pele’s hair” is a misnomer and applied to this introduced plant is disrespectful to Hawaiian culture.
“Itla-Okla” reminds us of the heritage of this plant which is culturally important to the indigenous peoples of its home range. For them it provided padding, weaving materials, medicine, and other uses. There is a Cajun legend of this plant.
In 1842, at the direction of King Kamehameha III, Timothy Ha‘alilio, Private Secretary to the King, designed a coat of arms for the Kingdom of Hawaiʻ i. The Royal Advisor, the Rev. William Richards, then commissioned the College of Arms in London to prepare a design which would be in alignment with the practices of European nobility. In 1845, it was adopted by the Legislative Assembly.
A MaryAnn Hylton Casting of the ʻ Iolani Palace Coat of Arms
Beginning at the piko, the center, according to The Polynesian, a “triangular flag at the fess point, was an ancient flag of the Hawaiian chiefs which was raised at sea, above the sail of their canoes, and the sail at that time being of a peculiar construction, it presented a very beautiful appearance.”
Expanding out, the quartered shield has in its 1st and 4th quarters red, white and blue stripes which represent the eight inhabited Hawaiian Islands.
The 2nd and 3rd quarters each have a white pulo‘ulo‘u on a yellow ground. In ancient times, according to The Polynesian, these were placed in a leaning position, across two spears in front of the home of an aliʻ i, to indicate kapu status and to demark protected spaces, “or a place of refuge, to which persons might flee from danger and be safe.”The name of the flag was Puela and name of the cross on which it lies Alia. Both the balls and the flag had on some occasions a religious signification, but their appropriateness to a coat of arms results from the above characteristics.”
Atop the shield, which is protected by an elaborate border, rests the crown of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻ i. Flanking the shield are the two royal twins, Kamanawa and Kame‘eiamoku. They are “clad in the ancient feather cloak and helmet of the Islands, the one bearing a kahili (Kame‘eiamoku on the right) and the other a spear (Kamanawa on the left) as in the processions of former times.”
The twins were Chiefs from the Kohala and North Kona districts of Hawaiʻ i. They were uncles of Kamehameha Paiʻ ea, and his counselors his wars to conquer the other islands.
The drawings for these insignia and cultural objects were taken from the original items presented by Aliʻ i Kalaniʻ ōpuʻ u in 1778 to Captain James Cook.
The motto reads: “Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻ āina i ka pono” – “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”.
According to the Polynesian, the motto “refers to the speech of the King at the time of cession, February 25, 1843. ‘I have given away the life of the land. I have hope that the life of the land will be restored when my conduct is justified.’”
“It very naturally alludes to the righteousness of the British government, in returning the Island to their legal sovereign, to the righteousness of the Hawaiian which secured the restoration, and to the general principle, that it is only by righteousness that national existence is preserved.”
The design was modified slightly during the reign of King Kalākaua.
Herb Kawainui Kane’s deep love of the Hawaiian culture brought him in contact with many historians and kupuna to recreate the story of Hawaiian life. In a meeting at the Bishop Estate, Mr. Kane was asked to make a sculpture of the Hawaiian Kingdom Coat of Arms.Herb Kane took an impression of the Royal Coat of Arms, originally designed by native Hawaiian Timothy Haalili and later cast in Italy.
From that impression, Mr. Kane created the mold that depicts the superb detail of the original design.
Herb later licensed the rights to this mold to MaryAnn Hylton who offered the bas-relief in antiqued true bronze and antiqued pewter. These rich finishes allow all of the unique details and texture of the original sculpture to be revealed.
Only three of these pieces made by MaryAnn Hylton under license by Herb Kane remain available for sale.
They are in the white raw-stone form, but can be finished in hand-rubbed atomized bronze or pewter, each piece hand-made and finished to the highest standards of materials and workmanship, as befitting its historical value, if the purchaser wishes. Any additional finish would be a separate cost paid to the artisan doing the work.
These three works of art are being sold as a fundraiser for the Friends of Kalākaua Park to help with the on-going restoration.
If you cherish Hawai‘i’s colorful heritage and wish to own a true treasure from Hawaii’s history, perhaps curating one of these unique pieces is for you.
Contact info(at)LeiDay(dot)org to make an appointment to view them.
Composition
The coat of arms is hand-poured of cast stone, a natural mineral product.
The remaining three pieces are unfinished. Finished, approximately six layers of finish, including true atomized bronze, are hand-applied and burnished. Adding finish would be a separate cost paid to the artisan doing the work.
20” x 24” x apx 2” relief
Hand-poured from cast stone
Hand-finished with antiqued true bronze
Weatherproof in temperate climates
$1,500 plus shipping, unfinished
100% of this price is donated to Friends of Kalākaua Park for their ongoing preservation work. Kalākaua Park hosts the annual Hilo Lei Day Festival.
Contact info(at)LeiDay(dot)org to make an appointment to view them.
The above image may look like a lush tropical landscape, but there are ZERO native Hawaiian species in this image. Except for the avocado tree (a 20th century introduced food crop) buried under an aggressive philodendron, all of the visible species at this site are highly invasive. Philodendron, running bamboo, and thunbergia have created an almost sterile biome lacking in diversity. Left alone, they will kill the avocado tree. There are virtually no understory plants, resulting in significant erosion of topsoil. The only fungi are molds.
A healthy biome comprises diverse species which fill many niches. The Urban Kīpuka Project will explore ways to re-create ecosystems with healthy diversity for small urban/suburban environments.
UPDATE: The Urban Kīpuka Project is no longer active as a separate entity. Its work is being carried on within the Hilo Lei Day Festival workshops and classes.
As so many of us know, Hawaiʻi has the unfortunate distinction of being “the extinction capitol of the world.” Many of our native birds are gone due to habitat loss and introduced diseases and predators. Many of our plants have been bulldozed away by development.
LeiManu Designs has started the Urban Kīpuka Project, which is developing small-scale low-cost techniques with which homeowners can easily add Native Hawaiian plants to their gardens, creating small ecosystems which can support our native fauna.
They are working with Liliʻuokalani Gardens and He Moʻolelo Kō ka Lei to spread the word about the benefits of using native plants in landscaping for erosion control, beauty, sustainability, and as a backyard economic driver in small agriculture and floriculture.
To learn more about this project, contact Leilehua Yuen [Leilehua (at) LeiManu.com] and visit the Urban Kīpuka Patreon page.
Conservationists warn that maile, once abundant in Hawaiian forests, is disappearing. Only 30% is said to remain. Continued harvesting of wild maile could result in it being unable to replenish itself.
With graduation and wedding seasons rapidly approaching, the demand for maile will surge. Researcher Katie Kamelamela suggested to KITV4 giving a maile plant, instead of a lei. That way, the recipient will be encouraged to have maile for a lifetime.
Kiriko Redondo wearing lei hilo fashioned to look like maile.
In the meantime, while waiting for the maile to grow to harvesting size, people can make lei hilo, which have a similar look to the maile. Adding lauaʻe will even give it a similar fragrance.
A number of nurseries throughout ka Pae ʻĀina Hawaiʻi offer maile seedlings for sale.
Mahalo nui loa to everyone who came out for Lei Day 2018! And mahalo nui loa to our sponsors, without whose kōkua, the festival could not have happened. Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, through the Kūkulu Ola program, was our major funder, and also is providing major funding for our classes and workshops. The Carousel of Aloha is our fiscal sponsor for 2018. Kapoho Kine Adventures and Basically Books were there in our dire need, and Ke Ola Magazine provided major promotional support, and Dinnie of Destination Hilo got the word out in Hilo and to our island visitors.
Ke Ola Magazine is a long-time supporter of the Hilo Lei Day Festival, and each year hosts our information booth. Read about Lei Day and more!
Ola Jenkins, of Destination Hilo, taught many different kinds of lei, from kui to wili to hilo to hili at the lei making tent. The pile of branches and leaves in the foreground is hau. Hau bark is a primary cordage fiber. Photo by Marcia Timboy.
Petronila Blank teaching lei ka wili. Aunty Joan Wheeler seated in back, teaching eyelash yarn lei.
Our demonstrators, Lōkahi Lomilomi, Ola Jenkins of Destination Hilo, Chris Benders and friends of Open Arms Ministry, the Hilo Orchid Society, Hilo UrbFarm, and those sharing knowledge of our environment also shared aloha for the interconnection of body, mind, and spirit all day long.
Meanwhile the Palace Theater ran vintage movies and documentaries on local lei makers all day.
Please continue to keep them in mind when you are looking for goodies and gifts. These all are local businesses. Money spent with them circulates through the local economy, and their vendor fees help to support our festivals.
After four months of almost non-stop rain, April 30 blessed us with overcast skies and a few gently sprinkles – just enough to keep the lei from wilting. Earthquakes through the night kept us on our toes!
MC Manu Josiah introducing Kahu Leifi Hao.
Lei Day dawned overcast, but the rain stayed away, giving us perfect weather. Not too hot, not too cold, a gently breeze kept it from getting muggy.
The festival opened at 9:00 am with pule (prayer) by Kahu Leifi Hao. Always gracious, she shares so generously, and it is a delight to the ear to hear her ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi!
Last year, Kahu Leifi also shared pule at Liliʻuokalani Gardens for the Centennial of the Queen’s death. As this year a project begins to mālama Kalākaua Park, in honor of the Queen’s brother, it was felt most appropriate to ask Kahu Leifi to also pule for the Hilo Lei Day Festival.
Meleana Manuel and Hula Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa honoring our 2017 and 2018 queens. To us, the beauty of this presentation, before the festival got “rolling,” is that it is NOT the big dramatic presentation in front of everyone for show. It was a small, personal ceremony – a kumu who carries her lineage from Uncle George Naope with grace and beauty honoring two women who embody the aloha of the lei. Sometimes, we confuse the pageantry with the origin. The pageantry builds on the origin, but without the foundation it is hollow. Mahalo to Kumu Meleana and her hālau for always staying true to her foundations, and providing a pā on which we stood to celebrate!
Kumu Meleana Manuel and her hālau, Ke ʻOlu Makani o Mauna Loa made a lovely lei presentation to our 2017 Floral Queen Kahōkūkauahiahionālani “Sammi” Fo, and our 2018 Floral Queen Thaliana Denise Leionaona Aipolani.
Kumu Meleana was the last alakaʻi to study under Uncle George Naʻope, and she carries on his traditional hula with grace and aloha, which can be seen in the loving faces of her haumāna.
As this year the festival fell on a Tuesday, most of the Ke ʻOlu Makani o Mauna Loa hālau members had to go to their “day jobs” after performing. Their taking time out to participate was a true gift of aloha.
Kumu Meleana also teaches and performs in Japan.
Meleana Manuel and Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa
Providing musical accompaniment for Meleana and her hālau was Mr. Ben Kaili and Kapulanakēhau Tamuré.
Always a crowd-pleaser, Kanani’s energetic and skillful hula are a delight!
Uncle Johnny Lum Ho was well represented by his haumana Kananiokalani Neizmen, and “Ka Uas,” a small group of women who are members of his “Gracious Ladies” pā.
Kanani was one of those who made time to come share his aloha for Hawaiʻi before heading off to work his “day job,” which meant bringing along everything he needed for hula, as well as his work attire!
Hilo Lei Day Festival coordinator Leilehua Yuen said, “We so appreciate those who honor Hawaiʻi by carrying on our cultural traditions amid the necessities of modern life!”
Kiriko Redondo and Ka Uas. Selfi by Kiriko Redondo.
Ka Uas, who only use the full “Hālau Hula ka Ua Kani Lehua” inoa (name) when they are performing with Uncle Johnny, had an earlier performance at the Veteransʻ Home, so Barbara, Patty, and Melia danced later in the day.
Their beauty and aloha shone through their hula, and they were able to stay after and enjoy the festival and, with their beautiful lole hula, add to the color and festivity of the event!
Serena Massery represents the kingdom of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau with two hula, Hoʻi ke Aloha i Niʻihau, and ʻUla Nōweo.
Serena Massery, haumana to Kumu Leilehua Yuen, represented the Kingdom of Kauaʻi with nā hula E Hoʻi ke Aloha i Niʻihau and ʻUla Nōweo. Her kaʻi was Hoʻopuka e ka Lā ma Kahikina, and her hoʻi was Hoʻi e, Hoʻi no. Serena is working on her master’s degree in food sustainability through studying the kalo farming of Kauaʻi.
Serena also was part of the “Midnight Decorators,” helping to provide security for the displays, stage, and sound system while making lei through the night. She crafted her lei poʻo and lei ʻāʻī of tī in the hilo style to represent the maile-lau-liʻi, the small-leafed-maile of Kauaʻi. Her lei kīkepa was made by lei hili workshop students, two from Belgium who just happened to be walking by as class began. They stopped and asked what was going on, and found themselves making lei for the festival! Rather than take the lei and have to dispose of them, the travelers donated the lei back to the festival.
Tille Ronsmans, of Belgium, and Manuleʻa Ramirez, a Midnight Decorator and haumana to Kumu Leilehua, craft a lei hili. Photo by Leilehua Yuen.
Kiriko Redondo dances E Kuʻu Lei Lehua.
Another of the “Midnight Decorators” was Kiriko Redondo, also haumana to Kumu Leilehua. Kiriko represented Hawaiʻi Island with the kaʻi and hoʻi E Kuʻu Lei Lehua, and the hula Nani Haili Pō i ka Lehua.
Kiriko is an alakaʻi to Kumu Leilehua, and teaches Hawaiian culture and arts, as well as hula, in Korea.
Kiriko originally studied with Yoshiko Sensei of Yokohama. When Kiriko expressed a desire to challenge herself with further study in Hawaiʻi, Yoshiko Sensei gave her permission to move to Kumu Leilehua’s hālau in Hilo. Kiriko now travels between Korea and Hilo to pursue her studies.
Pualani Johnson as Liliʻuokalani
Historical figures came in for a visit. Pualani Johnson reprised her role as Liliʻuokalani, The last monarch of the Hawaiian Islands. Pualani has portrayed the queen numerous times, and has steeped herself in the history and heritage of the queen.
Before and after her presentation, she strolled the park, in character, interacting with festival attendees, educating people in the most gracious manner regarding the history of the Hawaiian Islands.
Last year, during events at Liliʻuokalani Gardens, and at the Church of the Holy Apolstles, Pualani portrayed the Queen for the commemoration of the centennial of the monarch’s passing.
Spencer’s Invincibles
Spencer’s Invincibles joined us, as part of the story of an often-neglected lei – the lei manō. Spencer’s Invincibles were a Hilo militia privately funded and mustered by Thomas Spencer (portrayed by Joel Kelly) to fight in the American Civil War.
Kumu Leilehua Yuen presented the hula He Motu ta Ura, which had been used as a victory chant by Kalaniʻōpuʻu. Her Kaʻi was Hoʻopuka e ka Lā i Kai o ʻUnulau. Her hoʻi was Hoʻi e, Hoʻi no.
We were honored by the support of K.T. Cannon-Egar and the Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens, who joined us for the first time this year. We so admire all of her work with Liliʻuokalani Gardens, and now K.T. is helping us to create a Friends of Kalākaua Park!
At the Hilo Lei Day Festival, when we say “Green Room,” we mean it!
Hawaiʻi Ponoʻi – Closing the 2018 Hilo Lei Day Festival
It was nice to see the Lei Nui back for Lei Day, but sad to see it come down that afternoon. It was crafted throughout the night before Lei Day by Hālau LeiManu, and made from hāpuʻu, tī, and much aloha! Last year, Lei Day 2017, was the first time since 2013 that EHCC was not adorned with a giant lei for May the Month of the Lei. Glad to see it back, at least for Lei Day, and maybe next year it will get to stay up all month!
Enjoy a stroll through Downtown Hilo, and plan your shopping and lunch as you head for Kalākaua Park (The festival opens at 9:00am).
Take note of the historic Palace Theater, which will be screening historic film clips of Hilo and lei making.
At the festival, enjoy Hawaiian music and hula – you can even try a little hula, yourself! Make a lei. Experience lomilomi – traditional Hawaiian massage. Learn about the Native plants of Hawaiʻi and how they are used as medicine. Shop for fine hand-crafted locally made gifts.
Enjoy a relaxing day at Hilo’s hidden gem of a festival this Lei Day – Tuesday, May 1.
Kalākaua Street will be closed from 3am to 5pm on Tuesday, May 1.
Hilo Lei Day Festival Parking map – We recommend parking in the ma kai lot by Moʻoheau Park and Bus Terminal. Check out the many shops and places to eat on your way to Kalākaua Park. All of Downtown Hilo is smaller than many malls, so the walking is easy! The Palace Theater will be showing short movie clips about our history and culture of the lei – stop in! Hula at the Moʻoheau Bandstand from 11:00 am – Noon. So much to do in Hilo on Lei Day! Kalākaua Street between Keawe and Kinoʻole will be closed from 3:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1. Handicap parking will be available within the closed area. Just show your placard, and you will be directed to the reserved area.
The Hilo Lei Day Festival is coordinating a rubber boot drive to kōkua Kauaʻi. If you have good condition rubber boots that you do not need (kids outgrew, left home, you no longer muck the cows, etc.), please bring them to the Hilo Lei Day Festival any time after 10 am Monday, April 30 during our set-up, or any time until 4:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1. Other useful items, and cash donations also are welcome.
Mahalo no!
Leilehua Yuen, coordinator
Donation intake:
10:00 am Mon. 30 April – 4:00 pm Tues. 1 May
Festival Info Booth
Needed:
Rubber boots
New or used, good condition
All sizes – keiki need to protect their feet, too!
Socks
New preferred, we won’t have time, and they don’t have resources, to sanitize before use
Blister bandaids
Rubber gloves
All types from heavy duty cleaning gloves to the thin disposables
First aid kits
Trash bags
Not just for trash! They keep gear dry and can be cut into wikiwiki rain coats!
Duct tape
Bug repellant
Gas cards
Anything small and useful that can be packed inside the boots for shipping
If you are heading to Kauaʻi to kōkua:
** IMPORTANT MEDICAL INFO. From Dr. Evslin **
I am sure that all of you who have been working in the flooded areas have been thinking about this but please take the risk of infection from those heavily contaminated waters very seriously. I have treated contaminated wounds after our storms and and have had them myself. These wounds often contain multiple bacteria, may be hard to treat, and can be life threatening. General guidelines should include:
1. Avoidance: if you have a clean up project that involves wading through these waters and you can put it off to allow further receding of the water, consider putting it off.
2. If you have cuts or broken skin, do your best to avoid the waters and to avoid cleaning up the contaminated mud.
3. If you develop a cut while in contact with these waters, stop your activity and clean the wound as well as possible with soap and clean water. Betadine solutions have somewhat fallen out of favor but certainly can be considered in the initial cleaning of a potentially contaminated wound.
4. If you have a topical antibiotic such as Bactroban (mupirocin), you could consider applying it to the cut also as the risk of infection is high.
5. If you think your cut is getting infected, seek medical attention, particularly if it is painful and/or red or your have a fever. Infections from this type of contaminated wound can get worse quickly.
6. First aid for minor cuts looking a little infected can include topical antibiotics such as Bactroban (mupirocin). Can also soak for 10 minutes in dilute household bleach (about 1 tablespoon in a bucket of clean water or 1/2 teaspoon in a quart. BUT IF THE WOUND IS NOT GETTING BETTER OR IT IS GETTING WORSE, HAVE YOUR WOUND CHECKED BY MEDICAL PROVIDERS. Also note that a topical antibiotic can not cure a boil or an abscess or any infection under the skin as it can not get into these spaces.
6. If you get a cut in these waters, check your tetanus shot status.
7. All of you helping your neighbors are heroes but be safe!!!
Please view this information as information sharing, it should never replace prompt evaluation by a medical professional as needed.
As more guidelines come out from the Department of Health, I will post them.
The dramatic wiliwili tree is important in the Hawaiian environment, culture, and arts. To improve the health of our island ecosystems, this spectacular tree should be cultivated in landscaping, rather than its non-native relatives. Photo by ʻOhu Gon
Your pāpale [paah-pah-leh] is your hat. A lei pāpale is a lei you wear on your hat. It might be a lei haku, a lei wili, a lei humu papa, or any other style. But if it is on your hat, it also is a lei pāpale!
Word of the Day: MALUŌ – The careful use of natural resources to prevent depletion. A new word, it combines malu (quiet, safe, protected) and ō (thrive). Helu wawe maluō: Conservation hotline.
The Hilo Lei Day Festival strives to promote maluō as part of its kuleana and educational objectives.
Like and follow our page for updates on classes, workshops, and events, and support us by purchasing “Hua ʻŌlelo Lei – A Lei Maker’s Dictionary.”
