Margo’s voice caught. “It gets me emotional. Making lei is spiritual for me.”
She took a few deliberate breaths and the room full of students grew silent. We had gathered to learn the cultural art of Lei, the practice of using the gifts of the earth to express gratitude, honor, and respect. The short tutorial we had just watched – featuring three traditional makers from Hawaii – had caught us all off guard in the best way possible. It softened our hearts. It grounded us. We were suddenly out of our heads and present for this moment.
Over the next hour, we used lei needles with hooks or eyes to kui (“string”) orchids, bamboo leaves, carnations, chrysanthemums, and asters into strands of lei. We finished the strands using ribbon to create the ties, and learned the traditional ways to give, wear, and accept lei. The results were exquisite. Even though we had the same colorful materials, each lei was unique, reflecting the spirit of its maker.
“The ‘Hā’ of Aloha means breath,” Margo offered. “When you offer lei and say ‘aloha’ you are exchanging the breath of life with each other.”
We took a collective breath. Inhale. Exhale. Life felt abundant in each other’s presence.
