The lei embodies the aloha spirit of the Hawaiian people, and it can say congratulations, I love you, I honor you, or thank you. Here are beautiful, artistic color photos of many flowers and lei accompanied by explanations of their symbolism and history. Includes various traditional lei of old Hawaii as well as modern lei. Lovely!

A great reference and easy to follow instructional guide with detailed full color photographs of over 50 flowers and plants used in making Hawaiian leis. For each flower or plant there is a description, harvesting and storage tips, materials needed, photos, and instructions for the various styles of leis it is used for. Also lei origins, customs, and each island's leis.   

An Identification guide - There are a surprising variety of seeds in the Islands, & many can be made into leis. Here are over 100 color photos of the seeds with their flowers, leaves & vines, plus an example of a beautifully crafted lei of each. Kukui, Calabash, Coral Tree, Ironwood, Job's Tears, Macadamia, Monkey Pod, Betel Nut, Palm, Sea Bean, etc. 

An authoritative guide to this popular local craft. With colorful pictures, simple step by step instructions, and helpful tips you to can become a seed-lei crafter in not time! Detailed instructions on the construction of over 50 different seed leis, from simple kukui nut strings to intricately crocheted Black Eyed Susan garlands.

Hawaiian Shell Lei Making combines stunning visual beauty with down-to-earth craft. It is a primer as well as a feast for the eyes. Step-by-step instructions are given which anyone can follow, along with expertly taken and detailed photographs. There are forty projects involving an almost infinite variety of shells-from the well known and easy to find Olepe to the more exotic Momi and everything in between.

According to Hawaiian tradition, leis are symbols of love and friendship, to be given to others with a warm embrace and a kiss. Unlike flower leis, which eventually wither and fade, ribbon leis are treasured through the years, gifts of aloha that can last a lifetime. For this reason, beautiful and everlasting ribbon leis are a popular alternative to flower leis in the Islands. With this first-ever easy-to-follow visual guide you can fashion your own ribbon leis from materials found at any craft or fabric store. Fifteen different ribbon lei designs are showcased--many are created to resemble local floral favorites such as pïkake, 'ilima, hinahina, firecracker and white ginger. Each design is described in detail with step-by-step instructions and colorful photo illustrations.

Experience the joy of giving and creating by making beautiful ribbon leis. Unlike flower leis, whose beauty fades, ribbon leis are never discarded, but become cherished keepsakes or gifts to pass along to others. Making Ribbon Leis and Other Gifts of Aloha is written for both beginning and experienced ribbon lei makers, includes directions for making 17 leis and teaches basic techniques you can use to make leis of your own design. All the information you need is here: supply lists, step-by-step instructions; with photographs, directions for making leis in a variety of styles and colors; tips for organizing supplies and correcting mistakes; and a marking grid.

Quick and easy to make, eyelash crochet leis. Book supplies lists and step-by-step instructions, simple patterns for a variety of multicolored lei designs and styles, 51 different designs with photographs and a list of school colors for Hawaii high schools and colleges.

The latest book in this best-selling series features new colors and designs for 3- and 4-row leis and many all-new leis, from the simple to the more elaborate, featuring beads and feathers. Step-by-step instructions make it easy to craft leis, hair ornaments, and collars and leashes for your pets.

Blending traditional Hawaiian lei making with standard crochet techniques, author Roberta Wong expands her successful Hawaiian Lei in Crochet with an enticing new collection of designs for every occasion. This book features attractive new Hawaiian lei designs including anthurium, hibiscus, lantern 'ilima, maile leaf, orchid ("Christina" style), pikake, and tiare (Tahitian gardenia). The book also offers a list of basic materials, step-by-step instructions, and includes international symbols, making the craft accessible to people of all crocheting levels.

Hawaiian Lei in Crochet offers the beauty of lei with the art of crochet for a gift that lasts a lifetime. Kama'aina author and crocheter Roberta Wong presents thirty-three lovely lei selections, with basic stitches suitable for people of all levels of experience. Beautiful color photographs throughout illustrate easy-to-follow directions.

A complete comprehensive study of all types of leis made of flowers, ferns, shells, feathers, berries, nuts, etc. Methods of construction are shown plus the traditions and customs associated with each type of lei are also given. Lavishly illustrated with lots of gorgeous full color photographs of exquisite Hawaiian leis.

The Honolulu Academy of Arts is proud to present as its first temporary exhibition in the John Dominis and Patches Damon Holt Gallery, Püpü o Ni'ihau: An Exhibition of Ni'ihau Shell Leis From earliest recorded times, there is a rich tradition and history of cultures around the world using shells as ornaments, implements, mediums for monetary exchange, and for ceremonial purposes. The Hawaiian people have created articles of great beauty from shells collected along the shore. Ni'ihau shell leis are internationally recognized for their beauty , and their makers have created a unique art form of great sophistication and subtlety which requires considerable patience, skill, and creativity to produce. The Academy is pleased to have this opportunity to showcase the exquisite work of past and present artists; it is fitting that we pay tribute to these special artists for their preservation and continuation of one aspect of Hawaii's aesthetic legacy with works that command the respect and admiration of collectors around the world.

Lei are the very expression of traditional Hawaiian culture and were once an essential part of community and family life. They were fashioned as solemn offerings to powerful gods, as gifts to honor an important person or loved one, as tokens to mark a momentous occasion or event, and as adornments for dancers, who adhered to strict rules when selecting flowers and plants for hula. The authors have collected here a wealth of written and oral information to reveal the significance of making and wearing lei and their role in Hawaiian ritual and dance. The authors present the lei art form in not only words, but also pictures. An appendix includes a complete list of lei plants, basic instructions for their propagation, and other sources for material. Na Lei Makamae will add significantly to a deeper understanding and appreciation of this celebrated symbol of Hawai'i. 

Now, for the first time, the manufacturing processes of eighteen traditional Hawaiian musical instruments are documented with carefully researched instructions and step-by-step photographs in an easy-to-follow craft guide. Includes: ipu, ipu heke, uli uli, puili, ili ili, kala'au, puniu drum and ka, pahu drum, ulili, ohe ka'eke'eke, papa hehi, ukeke, oeoe, nose flutes, and conch shell trumpet.

Hawaiian quilts reflect the spirit, culture, and natural beauty of Hawaii. Designs are cut in one piece and appliqued to a contrasting color background. Here are easy to follow instructions and full-size patterns for 20 different Hawaiian quilt blocks including Orchid, Maile, Plumeria, Hibiscus, Breadfruit, Protea, etc. 

This book features a treasury of over 200 images of folk art from New Zealand, Easter Island, Hawaii, Marquesas, Australia, New Guinea, etc. Here are designs taken from tikis, geometric tapa patterns, ornamented masks, canoe prows, shields, wood carvings, moai statues, petroglyphs, musical instruments, temple art, and many more.

An alphabetical listing of many elements and words of Maori life and culture including music, costumes, tikis, legends, tattooing, weaving, games, dances, poi balls, history, Gods, food,  animals, birds, etc.  Great for quick reference of Maori subjects.  Includes lots of color photographs too.

Arts and Crafts of Hawaii stands alone as the definitive resource on Hawaiian material culture. Meticulously detailed and well illustrated, Te Rangi Hiroa guides the reader through every major element of Hawaiian Arts and Crafts, providing detailed descriptions of traditional objects, methods of construction, and traditional uses. Food, Houses, Plaiting, twined baskets, clothing, canoes, fishing, games and recreation, musical instruments, War and Weapons, Religion, Ornaments, Death and Burial

Horticulturist and gardening columnist Heidi Bornhorst provides practical advice for growing 75 plants-33 of them new to this edition. A section on basic techniques includes growing plants from cuttings or seeds, air-layering, grafting, watering, xeriscaping, transplanting, fertilizing, pruning, and water gardening. Sections on ground covers, grasses and sedges, shrubs, vines, trees, and ferns explain the care and use of individual plants and describe each plant's importance in Hawaiian culture. Photos illustrate the features of the plants and their use in the landscape.