Lei & floral garlands
The joy of wearing fresh flowers & greens is shared by many cultures and is especially important throughout the Pacific islands. Garlands are most often fashioned from fresh flowers and greens, but can also be made from more enduring materials like seeds, shells and feathers.
Lynn enjoys making a variety of traditioned garlands from fresh materials and based on techniques she learned in Micronesia and Hawaiʻi. In Hawai'i, the techniques often involve stringing flowers (kuʻi), braiding materials together (haku) or wrapping them onto a core (wili). In Micronesia, mwarmwar are usually made by incorporating parts of flowers into strands. Presenting a lei of fresh flowers & greens is a symbol of respect and deep affection and it is important that the lei is at its most beautiful when you give it.
Haku lei made from bougainvillea and greens
Micronesian mwarmwar made from coconut frond strips
4-Strand Micronesian mwarmwar made bougainvillea and laua'e fern
Strung lei made from folding the petals of plumeria to form round balls.
5-Strand Micronesian mwarmwar made plumeria petals, hibiscus petals, and laua'e fern
4-Strand Micronesian mwarmwar made Bolivian fushia and laua'e fern
Wili style lei/garland made with Bolivian fushia, green rose, and palapalai fern
Detail of a haku lei made from chrysanthemums, leather leaf fern and various greens.
Detail of a haku lei made from chrysanthemums, status, leather leaf fern and various greens.