Na Lei Makamae: The Treasured Lei

Marie A. McDonald; Paul R. Weissich

Published by University of Hawaii Press 2003

Na Lei Makamae

The Treasured Lei

Marie A. McDonald and Paul R. Weissich
Photographs by: Jean Cote

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824845223

Overview
Contents

About this book

Lei are the very expression of traditional Hawaiian culture and were once an essential part of community and family life. 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-five 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 Kanakaole Kanahele.

The authors present the lei art form in not only words, but also pictures. Lavish color photographs by Jean Coté showcase each plant and lei (shown by itself or worn), as well as places throughout the Islands associated with specific flowers and plants. An appendix includes a complete list of lei plants, basic instructions for their propagation, and other sources for material.

Author / Editor information

McDonald Marie A. :

Marie A. McDonald, ethnologist, educator, and master lei maker, was recognized as a "Master of Traditional Arts" by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1990. Her first book, Ka Lei, remains in print after a quarter century.Weissich Paul R. :

Paul R. Weissich, a licensed landscape architect, was director of Honolulu Botanical Gardens from 1957 to 1989. Since his retirement, he has been active as a consultant and volunteer on numerous landscaping projects. He is coauthor of Plants for Tropical Landscapes: A Gardener's Guide.

Reviews

A stunning book resulting from 10 years of meticulous research, writing and artistic collaboration

Gorgeous, inspiring

Outstanding

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	I
CONTENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	VII
FOREWORD Publicly Available Download PDF	IX
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	XI
INTRODUCTION Publicly Available Download PDF	XIII
NA LEI MAKAMAE Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
APPENDIX A Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	157
APPENDIX B Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	165
REFERENCES Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	169
INDEX Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	175
ABOUT THE AUTHORS Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	184

Language: English
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
Audience: General/trade;
Pages
- Main content: 200
Illustrations
- Other: 254 color illus.

eBook

Published: August 24, 2023
ISBN: 9780824845223