Lei Aloha
Celebrating the Vibrant Flowers and Lei of Hawai'i
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Explore Hawaiian culture through the art of lei making with flower inspirations and gorgeous photography from stylist, fashion designer, and local island icon Meleana Estes.
Brimming with vibrant photos of the most famous flower garlands of Hawai’i—the lei—in dreamy island settings, Lei Aloha tells the story of the flowers, craftsmanship, and community of lei culture, offering a window into this beautiful world where life is a little slower, flowers are abundant, and personal connections run deep. Local style icon Meleana Estes continues the legacy of her native Hawaiian grandmother, who was well known for her intricate and stunning lei. Sprinkled throughout the book also are anecdotes about the fascinating history of flowers, lei, and island traditions.
Each chapter tells the story of a grouping of flowers and lei, such as plumerias for a sweet gathering of neighborhood keiki (kids), elegant strands of white and yellow ginger for a candle-lit party, or striking lei haku made for hula performances. It’s an easy craft for the homesteader with roots in a full backyard garden or the digital nomad who keeps her possessions in one suitcase and can pick up flowers on her travels. With evocative photos of vintage mu’umu’us, lush tropical gardens, lei-bedecked longboard surfers, striking tablescapes, and graceful hula dancers, Lei Aloha shares a side of the islands that only locals usually get to see.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Stylist Estes debuts with a lush look at the Hawaiian culture of leis, the colorful floral garlands thought to have been brought to the islands by Polynesian travelers between 500 and 1200 CE. Blending historical, social, and personal meditations, Estes explores the origins and art of lei making alongside vibrant photos of the author's designs. She recounts getting her love of lei making from her native Hawaiian grandmother, from whom Estes learned the symbolic connotations of particular blossoms (lehua flowers are associated with Pele the volcano goddess, and maile vines with Laka, goddess of the forest) and techniques for stringing materials. Personal anecdotes describe the occasions leis are worn for, as when Estes reminisces about preparing leis for May Day festivities while in high school alongside images of leis made of purple and white crown flowers. She explains that the first kind of lei most learn to make involves using a needle and thread to sew blossoms together into a garland, but other styles include "twisting leaves into ropes" and tucking flowers into their strands, as well as braiding ferns together. The author prioritizes cultural background over how-to instruction, and the attractive designs and accompanying insights don't disappoint. Eye-catching and historically informed, this amounts to a generous celebration of Hawaiian tradition.