In the Mood for Lei: Where to Take Lei-Making Classes on O‘ahu
Lei-making is our latest obsession, so we’ve rounded up the many places offering intro classes on the Islands’ signature floral craft.
Photo: Courtesy of Kāhala Hotel & Resort
It doesn’t have to be Lei Day to celebrate the tradition of making and sharing lei—and we’re still in the mood after the latest May Day celebrations. If you are too, here’s where you can get your flower fix.
Click to the classes you’re interested in:
Class dates and times are current as of publish date.
SEE ALSO: Beautiful Winning Lei From the Lei Day Celebration Contest 2024
Free Lei-Making Classes
Photo: Courtesy of Kāhala Hotel & Resort
The Veranda at the Kāhala Hotel & Resort
Haku Kupe‘e Bracelet-Making: Every Thursday, 9 to 10 a.m.
Lei-Making: Every Friday and Sunday, 10 to 11 a.m.
The Kāhala Hotel & Resort offers two classes, one where you can weave a kupe‘e, or bracelet, out of raffia and another for flower lei. Thanks to the Kāhala Initiative for Sustainability, Culture and the Arts, these classes are free and open to the public; reservations are not required.
Free, The Veranda at the Kāhala Hotel & Resort, 5000 Kāhala Ave., kahalaresort.com, @kahala_resort
Photo: Courtesy of Royal Hawaiian Center
Royal Hawaiian Center
Every Friday, 11 a.m. to noon
Learn to make an orchid lei, with all the materials you need provided. This class is first come, first served for up to 24 guests ages 10 and older.
Free, Building C, Level 2, Royal Hawaiian Center, royalhawaiiancenter.com, @royalhwnctr
Photo: Courtesy of International Market Place
International Market Place
Every Third Thursday, noon to 2 p.m.
Head to the open courtyard at the International Market Place for a free lei class with a variety of flowers, while supplies last.
Free, Queen’s Court at the International Market Place, 2330 Kalākaua Ave., shopinternationalmarketplace.com, @intlmktplace
Paid Lei-Making Classes
Turtle Bay Resort
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 and 9 a.m.
Make an orchid lei with 42 flowers. Reservations are recommended, especially if you’re not a hotel guest.
Free for hotel guests, $50 for nonregistered guests, Turtle Bay Resort, 57-091 Kamehameha Highway Kahuku, turtlebayresort.com, @turtlebayresort
Eco Mindful Lei at the Samurai House
Next class TBA
Enjoy golden hour with light bites and poolside lei-making at the famous Samurai House on the North Shore. Bring a swimsuit if you want to take a dip.
$50, 61-205 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa, ecomindfullei.com, @eco.mindful.lei
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Stamen + Style at Island-Boy Shop
Next class TBA
Stamen + Style shook up the lei-making scene with its innovative flower-blocking style. Now, owner Jill Harunaga is offering classes at Island-Boy Shop so you too can turn a medley of flowers into chic, multi-stranded lei. See what the class is like in this reel, and sign up for Island-Boy’s newsletter to be the first to know about the next one.
$120, Island-Boy Shop, 3464 Wai‘alae Ave., islandboy.shop, @islandboy.shop, @jharunaga
SEE ALSO: Bloom Bloom, Pow! These Flower-Blocked Lei Pack a Punch
Photo: Credit Jessica A.H. Pine, Courtesy of Lulu’s Lei + Bouquets
Paid Lei Po‘o Workshops
A lei po‘o is a lei for the head, similar to a flower crown.
SEE ALSO: How to Make Your Own Lei Po‘o
Photos: Courtesy of Eco Mindful Lei
Eco Mindful Lei at Waikīkī Beach
- Tuesday, June 4, 10 a.m.
- Sunday, June 23, noon
- Thursday, June 27, 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 2, noon
- Sunday, July 7, noon
- Sunday, July 14, noon
- Sunday, July 28, noon
- Sunday, Aug. 4, noon
- Sunday, Aug. 11, noon
- Sunday, Aug. 18, noon
- Sunday, Aug. 25, noon
Watch the sunset and enjoy the sea breeze as you craft a lei po‘o with locally sourced flowers and greenery in a shaded area of Waikīkī Beach. Each class is limited to 8 people. Private workshops are also offered.
$88, Waikīkī Beach, ecomindfullei.com, @eco.mindful.lei
Island-Boy Shop at the Ossipoff Cabin
June:
- Friday, June 21, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Saturday, June 22, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Sunday, June 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
July:
- Friday, July 19, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Saturday, July 20, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Sunday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Head up to the picturesque Ossipoff Cabin in Pālehua and learn how to make a lei po‘o from Courtney Monahan of Paiko and Pua Hana and Andrew Mau of Island-Boy Shop. All materials will be provided, with an emphasis on using invasive plants. Each class is limited to 13 people. Tickets are nonrefundable but can be transferred to someone else. See the website for more details on getting there.
$165, Ossipoff Cabin (address shared after booking), islandboy.shop, @islandboy.shop
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Hānaiakamalama
Once a month, 9 to 11 a.m.
- June 22
- July 13
- Aug. 3
- Sept. 14
- Oct. 19
- Dec. 7
Join lei maker Kuhi at Hānaiakamalama, aka Queen Emma Summer Palace, to create a lei po‘o and learn about native flowers. Your ticket includes a self-guided tour of the palace. Register for the workshop by emailing leipooslaybykuhi@gmail.com or messaging her on Instagram @leipooslaybykuhi.
$100, Queen Emma Summer Palace, 2913 Pali Highway, daughtersofhawaii.org, @daughtersofhawaii
SEE ALSO: Stunning Mu‘umu‘u Worn at the 2024 Mu‘u at the Museum
Photos: Credit Jessica A.H. Pine, Courtesy of Lulu’s Lei + Bouquets
Lulu’s Lei + Bouquets
2 hours, class availability varies; check online
Learn to make a lei po‘o in a lovely flower shop setting. All materials are included, and up to 15 people can attend a class. Keiki are welcome; those younger than 8 can have a parent assist them. Private off-site workshops are also offered.
$95, Lulu’s Lei + Bouquets, 66-250 D102 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa, lulusleiandbouquets.com, @lulusleiandbouquets
O‘ahu Leis
1.5 hours, class availability varies; check online
Host Kiana leads this workshop at her home in Lā‘ie and offers a variety of locally sourced flowers with which to make lei po‘o. She also shares the cultural background of lei. Each class can accommodate up to 10 people, and private workshops are available by request. Can’t make it to Lā‘ie? There’s an online course available for $69.
$125 for adults, $59 for keiki ages 8–12, 20% off when you book at least two weeks in advance, oahuleis.com, @oahuleis
