Monday, April 13, 2009

What kind of lei is appropriate for a funeral?

My family is originally from Hawaii, but is now settled on the mainland. My aunt just passed away and I wanted to create a lei instead of a regular flower arrangement. I%26#039;ve seen leis at other funerals, but I don%26#039;t know which flowers/types are appropriate. I%26#039;d hate to give something that represents %26#039;long life and happiness%26#039; to someone who is now deceased. Anyone know what would work and what wouldn%26#039;t? Thanks!

What kind of lei is appropriate for a funeral?
What a beutiiful gesture on your part. Sorry about your Aunt and the length of this but it was excelllent reading.


Hala is appreciated at a funeral, or as a gift to someone from Puna. La`i, ti leaf, is always appropriate, as is maile.


Temporary traditional leis were fashioned of natural material


Leis were sewn or weaved with coconut husk, olona, banana or hau fibers.


Temporary leis now commonly called fresh leis, are a mixture of endemic as well as introduced combinations of flowers, leaves, mosses, blossoming grasses, and vines. Materials common for stringing include: suji, ribbon, lei thread even carpet thread.


kipu`u - knotting.Short vine lengths or leaves with a long stem were knotted together, as seen with the maile lei or kukui leaf


hili - plaiting or braiding. Used only when braiding one material, seen in the modern ti leaf leis and maile lei


haku - braiding %26quot;somewhat%26quot;, with a central binding cord and mixture of flower, leaf and/or fern. The term haku is loosely used for the head lei.


wili - winding similar to the haku with no knots till the very end.


humu papa - sewing to a foundation. The traditional head lei, or as in feather leis.


kui - stringing,


kui pololei - stringing through the center of the flower or shell. Remember puka shells?


kui poepoe - stringing through stem or ovary of flower, arranging as in spokes of a wheel. The beautifl double plumeria lei is often strung in this method.


kui lau - stringing flat through stem or ovary of flower, arranging alternating side to side. The intricate cigar flower lei is strung with this method.





The colors and designated emblem to each Island was adopted in 1923 by the Territorial Legislature of Hawai`i. Except for the lokelani rose representing Maui, all are native fauna that are naturally associated with that island. The pupu .





Kaho`olawe - silver gray - hinahina


Maui - pink - damask rose officially lokelani is listed


Moloka`i - silver green - the kukui


Kaua`i - violet - mokihana


Lana`i - orange - kaunoloa


Hawai`i - red - lehua


Ni`ihau - white - pupu shells


O`ahu - yelloe - ilima


Molokini - medium blue - limu kala





Open every pod and fruit to see the seed inside (watermelon is just one).


If it is not poisonous, it can be strung!


Make do with what you have. Standard needle and thread, hey even floss is great!


The old favorites of ,pasta%26#039;s and noodles; crepe paper and straws. Canna, a favorite for leis is called ali`i poe in Hawaii. A very rare lei, yet a very commonly found seed. The common manila palms; after the red %26quot;date%26quot; falls to the ground and dries, under a bit of husk is a beautifl nut. The colored nut. The common plant used for hedges, Tiare, makes a wonderful lei. Papaya flowers and pansies, baby%26#039;s breath and boston fern make an awesome head lei.


Take them as hostess gifts, and to give to the departed at funerals. .
Reply:Thank you and sorry for the long answer Report It




www.poetry.com

No comments:

Post a Comment