HONOLULU (HI Now) - With May Day right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the art of lei making—an enduring tradition that holds deep cultural significance in Hawaiʻi. For Dillyn, a local lei maker, this craft is more than just stringing flowers—it’s a way to honor her heritage and express aloha through each bloom and leaf. Her journey began at a young age, sitting beside her grandmother and learning how to weave lei with purpose and intention. What started as quiet moments of bonding and storytelling has now become a lifelong passion rooted in respect for the land and a deep connection to Hawaiian traditions.
Dillyn fondly remembers weekend trips to City Mill with her dad—an experience that, over the years, evolved from casual errands to purposeful supply runs for her growing lei practice. Today, she shops there for everything from pruning shears and coconut liners to floral wire and potting soil. Each tool plays a vital role in her process: shears for clean cuts when harvesting native plants, coconut liners to support trailing vines, and compost to nourish the plants she grows at home.
Recently, Dillyn created a stunning lei poʻo using native plants, including ʻōhiʻa lehua, palapalai, maile pilau, and kupukupu fern. Each plant was carefully selected for both beauty and meaning—ʻōhiʻa symbolizing love and resilience, palapalai for its connection to hula, and maile for its traditional use in ceremonies. For beginners, she recommends starting with sturdy greens like ti leaf or kupukupu and encourages patience, hydration, and a deep respect for the plants themselves.
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