There are about as many leis as there is a reason to give one. Ancient Hawaiians used braided human hair, bird feathers, shells and dogteeth, but versions that are more modern include a vast assortment of fresh flowers, foliage and more. The more popular flowers are the Awapuhi Ke’o Ke’o or white ginger. This flower is shaped like a delicate butterfly. Very fragrant and very delicate, you can find these leis done in a sewn or braided Micronesian style. Another very popular flower for lei making is the dendrobium or Hono Hono orchids. Small and hearty, these flowers come in array of colors from blue, to fuschia to purple and yellow from hothouses all over the Big Island of Hawaii or the Orchid Isle.

There are several methods in which to create a lei. The easiest and simplest is the “kui” method. It requires about 40-50 fresh flowers, a length of cotton or other soft durable string, a lei needle which is a twelve-inch of needle wire with a small hook on one end. Simply string the flowers gently onto the string. When enough flowers have been added to a desirable length, simply tie the string off and add a colorful ribbon.

When presenting leis, it is important to remember that a kiss on the cheek is appropriate and expected. It is also important to remember to avoid presenting ti-leaf leis to politicians since it believed that it is a bad omen. History and folklore also warns about presenting leis to pregnant women. It is believed that such a thing jeopardizes the health of the unborn baby.

Below you find some samples of leis we can arrange.

* This is an upgrade version (price indication 25 usd each)

Superior Lei's (price indication 36 usd each):

Tuberose & Ti-Leaf

White fragrant tuberose flower lei twined together with a traditional Ti-leaf lei.

Beautiful, fragrant and hardy.

Pikake & Ti-Leaf

White fragrant 3-Strand Pikake flower leis twined together with a traditional Ti-leaf lei.

Beautiful and fragrant.

Bozo & Ti-Leaf

Purple Bozo flower lei twined together with a traditional Ti-leaf lei.

Beautiful and hardy.

He'e, Muck Orange & Tuberose

Red He'e, Green Muck Orange, White Tuberose flower leis twined together.

Beautiful, hardy and fragrant.

Bozo Mix Color & Tuberose

Purple Bozo Mix and White Tuberose flower leis twined together.

Beautiful and hardy.

Bozo Purple & Muck Orange

Purple Bozo and Green Muck Orange flower lei.

Beautiful and hardy.

Bozo Light Purple & Muck Orange

Light Purple Bozo and Green Muck Orange flower lei.

Beautiful and hardy.

For more information on Hawaiian Flower Lei's, go to:

• More Pictures Of our Lei Choice

• The lost art of Flower Lei making