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Lei & Moha'i Making Workshop
- Kumu Kawahine Aulelava
- Aug 14, 2016
- 2 min read
Lei Making
Students learned how to make 2 different style of lei. First the Haku style made by braiding the lei with soft Ti leaves and adding small cut hard strips of Ti leaves to create a traditional lei used to adorn the dancer. Second lei type is the Wili style, made with Rafia or Hau and wrapping the leaves and flowers and also used to adorn a dancer. The main purpose was to teach the students the techniques of making a beautiful lei with the intent to eventually make more and get better at lei making.
Moha'i Making
Students learned the purpose of the Moha'i and what our kuleana as a dancer is to malama or taking care of our native plants. They were blessed with their own native plant and taught what each plant represent. Then students were taught how to present their Moha'i by wrapping it in Ti leaf as a makana (gift).
Kahealani - Ilima Native Plant
Olelo Nōʻeau: Ola na ‘ilima wai ‘ole I ke ao ‘opua.
Healed are the ‘ilima of waterless places by the rain cloud.
This mohai is the ilima.
Just as a large amount of ilima blossoms are needed to make a beautiful lei this haumana .......
Kealohaonapua - Kupukupu Plant
Olelo Nōʻeau: Mohala maika'i ka ulu ana o ke kupukupu.
Unfolded well are the growth of the ferns.
This mohai is the kupukupu fern.
This haumana will be the keeper of this native plant.
Kahiwahiwa - 'Ie'ie Native Plant
Olelo Nōʻeau: E ULU KA 'IE'IE KŪ I KA WAO. E KE AKUA Ē, HO'OULU 'IA!
The 'ie'ie grows profusely in the wild. Oh Lord, inspire me with your knowledge!
This mohai is the ‘ie‘ie.
This plant is one of the several plants sacred to Laka the goddess of hula
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