According to Wikipedia:
A Lei is a garland or wreath.
More loosely defined, a lei is any series of objects strung together with the intent to be worn. The most popular concept of a lei in Hawaiian culture is a wreath of flowers presented upon arriving or leaving as a symbol of affection. This concept was popularized through tourism between the Hawaiian Islands and the continental United States in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The eight most common methods of making the Hawaiian lei are:
Haku: three-ply braid incorporating additional materials. A method of making a lei by using a base material, such as softened tree bark or long leaves, and braiding it while adding the decorative plant material into each wrap of the braid. Normally used for flowers and foliage with long pliable petioles or stems.
Hili: braid or plait with only one kind of material. Most commonly made from three or more strands of supple vine or fern braided together.
Hilo: twist, double helix, intertwine. A method of making a lei by twisting two strands together to form a “rope”. The popular and simple lei lāʻī (tī leaf lei) is made using this method.
Hipuʻu / nipuʻu: a method of making a lei by knotting the stems of the decorative plant material and stringing the next stem through the knot. It requires a very long stem on the decorative material. Similar to a daisy chain.
Humu / humuhumu: sew to a backing, usually using a basting stitch. A method of making a lei by sewing the decorative material to a backing such as hala, laʻi, paper, or felt. Each successive row of lei material is overlapped on the previous to create a scale-like effect. Bougainvillea lei and feather hat lei often are made with this method.
Kui: pierce, piercing stitch. A method of making a lei by sewing or piercing the decorative material with a needle and stringing it onto a thread. This is probably the style with which most Westerners are familiar. This method is commonly used to string flowers such as plumeria, rose, carnation, etc.
Wili: wind, twist, crank, coil. A corkscrew-type twist, as found in a pig’s tail and the seed pod of the wiliwili tree. A method of making a lei by winding fiber around successive short lengths of the decorative material. Sometimes base materials such as hala, laʻi, strands of raffia, or even strips of paper are used to make wrapping easier.
Haku mele: to braid a song. A song composed out of affection for an individual is considered a lei.
Lei may be open or closed, depending on circumstance.
These leis are traditionally constructed using natural foliage.
A Hawaiian Lei is a great way to add the spirit of Hawaii to your life. Another greate way is to order Hawaiian Island Wall Art for your home.