Hawai'i Forgiveness Project

Weaving a Ti-Leaf Lei


Weaving a lei is two skills -- one inside -- thoughtfulness, attention, peace -- and one outside -- craftsmanship, dexterity. The ti-leaf lei is used to honor ali’i and others of high respect.

Lei are given on many occasions. To honor Queen Lili‘uokalani, we work with purpose and focus -- to bring both heart, mind and hands to one effort, creating lei for her, commemorating her leadership, and love of the land and her people that continues to this day.

At Forgiveness Day 2013, we began making ti-leaf lei in honor of the great peacemaker of Hawai'i, Queen Lili'uokalani -- with plenty of ti leaves, and kupuna to teach how.

Hawai'i International Forgiveness Day at the State Capitol Rotunda, Honolulu; August 4, 2013

Lei-making in honor of Queen Lilli'uokalani is taking place at the following locations on O'ahu:

  • Calvary-by-the-Sea Church, September 1
    7:30 am. and 10 am, 5939 Kalanianaole Hwy., Honolulu (Aina Haina)

  • 1750 Hooui Place Pearl City, August 24 and August 31
    10am to 5pm with Rawleen Fisher
    808-783-9933 cell
    456-1261, home

  • Native Books, Ward Warehouse, Sunday August 25
    3:00 - 5:00 pm, 1050 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste.1000, Honolulu

  • 260 Halenani Dr, Kahalui, Maui, August 27
    from 5:00 pm on with Claire Apana
    808-214-4411

  • 3220 Esther Street, Kapahulu, Oahu August 29
    7:00 pm to 9:00 pm with Emalia
    808-392-1486

Important News:

September 1 is the 175th anniversary of the birth of Queen Lili'uokalani.

A major public celebration, expected to draw thousands of people, will take place on September 1 at 'Iolani Palace in Honolulu.

All people from the Hawaii Forgiveness Project have been invited to attend, to bring lei and to make lei together on that day, for a presentation of a community lei in memory of the Queen.

Details in the poster below.
You may also download the poster here.

Lei Making Commitments:

Individual members of Queen Emma, Ka Lei Maile Alii, Ko'olauloa, Pearl Harbor and Wahiawa Hawaiian Civic Clubs on Oahu and kupuna from Hilo, Pahoa, Waimea, Kona on Hawaii island

Need more ti leaves:
We are always looking for more ti leaves. Mahalo for ti leaf contributions from all over Oahu.
Please call or email Evern Williams, 392-1486, evernw@aol.com; instructions on preparation of ti leaves in the video below

Special Mahalo to Auntie Rawleen Fisher, Auntie Aloha Kekipi, Auntie Rawlette Kraut and Uncle David Molina who have been making lei even since they recorded their ti leaf lei video!

And to Evern Williams for helping to co-ordinate everything, to Bradford Kaiwi Lum for managing the lei-making on Forgiveness Day, to Elizabeth Reveley for being an enthusistic student, organizer and lei maker.

Download the brochure and schedule here

The video below will teach you how to make ti-leaf lei yourself.

Learn how to prepare your own ti leaves, weave them...and how to weave beauty into your heart while you do.

Produced by Olelo Community Media Volunteers for the Hawaii Forgiveness Project, with the assistance of the Queen Emma Hawaiian Civic Club.

A Prayer for Lei-Making

to be spoken silently within,
during the making of ti-leaf lei

download a printed version
of this prayer

Hawai'i International Forgiveness Day at the State Capitol Rotunda, Honolulu; August 4, 2013