Hawaiian lei

Palapalai

Palapalai is a plant native to Hawaii. (Japanese name is “Ishikaguma”.)
It is said that it was an offering to Laka, the goddess of hula
and also it is said that Hiiaka, Pele’s sister, wore it.
It is a holy plant.

Hula dancer sometimes dance with putting lei weaved by Palapalai on her head, wrist and ankle.

In ancient Greece they weared a olive and laurel wreath.
In Japan we use a hemp and sakaki tree at Sinto ritual.

Hula is the ritual in Hawaii.
Hula dancer is dancing as the incarnation of Laka.
She put the power of plants on.

Hawaiian lei

Lei Poʻo：a lei putting on the head.
Lei ’āʻi ：a lei hanging on the neck.
Kūpeʻe：a lei attaching to wrist or ankle

Hawaiian people use a lei at a ritual and give it for some celebration.
They make a lai with thinking about the person. They make it with their power.

There are various flowers used for lei. There are flowers that symbolize each island.

O’ahu 　…Ilima：It is a plant native to Hawaii. Small yellow flowers that inhabit the seashore
Hawai’i　…ʻōhiʻa lehua：The first story that I studied was about this flower.
Maui　…lokelani：Pink Rose. It was brought from Asia. It is the only exotic species in island flowers.
Kauai’i　…mokihana：This plant inhabits in only Kauai.
Moloka’i　…kukui：We can often see this tree in neighborhood in Hawaii. Kukui nut oil is good for hair and skin. My English teacher recommended me Kukui oil. She said that it is expensive than coconut oil but very good.
Lānai　…kaunaoa：It has orange stalk -like vine.
Kaho’olawe　…hinahina：Kaho’olawe is an island where people don't live.
'O Ni’ihau　…Pupu：It isn’t a flower. It is a shell.

I have a kukui lei and a shell lei.
I put these leis on when we dance at the event.

写真画像は、お借りしました。https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42001315