How to Make a Hawaiian Lei with Ti Leaves

Red ti leaf plant.

Making a Hawaiian lei with ti leaves is a simple matter if you have access to the leaves. The ti leaf plant is thought to bring good luck and ward off any evil spirits, and the leaves still are used in religious ceremonies by priests. Giving a Hawaiian ti leaf lei to someone is to wish her good luck.

Things You'll Need

• Ti leaves
• Scissors and or pruner
• Water
• Bath towel
• Microwave

Instructions

1. Gather at least three to four full-size ti leaves to make an average-size Hawaiian lei. Cut the leaves from the ti plant with the pruner about three inches from the bottom of the ti leaf.

2. Cut the rigid spine from the center of the ti leaf. Cut from the bottom right-hand side of the leaf as close to the spine as possible. Cut all the way to the top. Flip the leaf over and repeat this procedure.

3. Rinse ti leaves in cool water and lay them out on a bath towel. Pat off most of the water until only a few droplets remain.

4. Select the starter leaf for the Hawaiian ti leaf lei and place it into the microwave. Heat for 10 to 12 seconds until the ti leaf is limber enough to fold and twist without cracking or splitting. Fold both edges of the leaf into the middle, shiny side up. Fold in half again until the leaf edges are concealed.

5. Wrap the folded ti leaf around your big toe, centering the leaf behind your toe. With each hand firmly holding one side of the leaf, begin twisting both sides simultaneously counterclockwise. Cross over in an X shape so that your big toe is enclosed in a loop. Continue twisting and crossing sides into a "rope" until there is approximately three inches of leaf remaining.

6. Add two more ti leaves of the same length to the microwave for another 10 to 12 seconds. Work the new ti leaves into the Hawaiian lei by placing the new leaves over the ends of the previous ones. Make sure to securely twist and conceal the ends of the first ti leaf into the new leaves.

7. Continue to twist and cross over both sides of the ti leaf lei until there is three inches left. Pull the ti leaf "rope" taut while twisting. When three inches again remain, put two more leaves into the microwave and proceed as before.

8. Use seven or more halves for an adult; five halves of the ti leavesare plenty for a younger person or someone of small stature. Once satisfied with the length of the Hawaiian ti leaf lei, tie the ends into a simple crossover knot.

9. Remove the looped section of ti leaf lei from your big toe. Take the knotted end of the lei and pass it through the looped section. Twist the loop to fit snugly around the knotted end.

Tips & Warnings

• To keep the ti leaf lei fresh, put it in a plastic bag with a bit of water sprinkled inside. Place the bagged lei in the refrigerator until ready to gift.

• If you notice the leaves starting to split or crack at any time during the lei making process, remove the lei from your toe and throw the whole lei back into the microwave for a few seconds.

• Flowers can be worked into the lei easily by inserting the stems as you are twisting the ti leaves.

• When placing a ti leaf lei around a person's neck, it is tradition to kiss both sides of their cheeks in a welcoming aloha.

References

• Oracle ThinkQuest: Ti Leaf