In this lei, generally made from vines or flexible shoots from which the ʻiwi (bone/inner wood) have been removed, strands of the leafy bark are tied together to the desired length, then spun like a lariat to wind them around each other. The most commonly seen form of this lei is the lei maile.
To strip the bark from the wood, the vine, runner, or shoot is pounded just until the juices flow and the bark comes loose from the wood. It is then twisted to free it, and slipped from the wood.
Our April 2018 lei making workshop at Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens focused on the lei kā wili.
Instead of going into the forest to harvest maile for the workshop, we used canes of ornamental hibiscus which had been pruned from a friend’s landscaping. The technique is the same, so we were able to learn how to craft the lei without having to harvest our native plants and impact the forest.
We also will have field trips to learn about the native forest, but the Moʻolelo Kō ka Lei programs support growing lei plants in our homes and public spaces, rather than continuing to impact our precious native forests.
We did learn a little about harvesting protocols and the ecosystem, but the focus was crafting of the lei kā wili. We learned about cracking the ʻili (bark) away from the iwi (“bone” of the wood) to loosen the ʻili.
We learned how to twist the ʻili to free it, so we could slip the ʻili and the leaves off the iwi. It’s a bit slimy, and you will get the sap on your hands! When we use mail, we need to remember that some people are sensitive to the sap, so plastic gloves might be needed.
Slipping the iwi out of the ʻili reminded us of the saga of Hiʻiaka, when Moʻolau sucked the ʻiwi out of two men, and left them quivering on the roadside!
Once the iwi are removed, the bark is like soft vines. We learned to tie them together to create the desired lengths. Then we twisted them together (kā wili) to make the finished lei.
We also learned about the practice of oli lei – chanting when giving a lei, or adorning oneself with a lei.
Ke lei maila ʻo Kaʻula i ke kai
Ke mālamalama ‘o Ni‘ihau ua mālie
A mālie pā ka Inuwai
Ke inu maila nā hala ‘o Naue i ke kai
No Naue ka hala, no Puna ka wahine
No ka lua no i Kīlauea
ʻAe, ʻae,ʻae
Ka‘ula island is wreathed by the sea. Ni‘ihau shimmers in tranquility. The Inuwai wind blows gently. Naue’s pandanus drinks from the sea. The hala is from Naue, the woman is from Puna. From the very pit of Kīlauea. Indeed, indeed, indeed.
Everyone who participated got to kuʻi (pound) the stalks of hibiscus and learn just how hard or gently to kuʻi to loosen the bark without breaking off the leaves. It was a little bit tricky, but there was plenty of foliage to practice on, so all of us were able to make lei. Everyone also got to learn to hemo (remove) the ʻili, and to nīpuʻu (tie) the bark.
After class, some of the haumāna were picking up a friend from the airport, so they took lei to share with her!
Just as we weave together the foliage of different plants to create one harmonious lei, so to we weave together our manaʻo and aloha as we work together to make lei for ourselves and our friends.
Making the lei is a joyful time, and we created friendships and happiness. Sharing a meal added to the feeling of ʻohana that we enjoyed during this time!
