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The Treasured Lei
University of Hawaii Press
September 2003
On Sale: September 1, 2003
183 pages
ISBN: 0824826493
EAN: 9780824826499
Hardcover
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Non-Fiction
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. Following in the footsteps of Samuel Kamakau, Abraham Fornander, and others, 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. This volume covers eighty-eight flowers and plants (and another dozen color variations) used in traditional lei construction. They are arranged according to their Hawaiian names and accompanied by botanical information and descriptions gleaned from legends and chants that illustrate the cultural uses and special meanings of lei prior to Western contact. Many are introduced by poems written especially for this work by master kumu hula, linguist, and ethnologist Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele. The authors present the lei art form in not only words, but also pictures. Lavish color photographs by Jean Cote showcase each plant and lei (shown by itself or worn), as well as places throughout the Islands associated with specific flowers and plants. Many of these are no longer abundant in the wild; to help conserve the source of na lei makamae, Hawai'i's native flora, the authors advise lei makers to cultivate their own plants. 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.
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