A lei can be made with a long needle, string, and plenty of fresh flowers.
Whether decorating for a luau party or looking for art activities for the kids, Hawaiian crafts bring excitement to any occasion. Hawaii's arts and crafts hold special meaning and are deeply rooted in history. Study images of Hawaiian art and make your own crafts capturing the rich culture of the islands.
Ancient Art
Petroglyphs are ancient carvings on stone or lava flows that typically depict symbols of people, animals and canoes. Mix concrete according to package directions and pour into a container. With a stick, carve petroglyphs representing your city or town. After the concrete dries completely, remove it from its container. Hawaiian tikis are carved wooden statues or masks depicting ancient Hawaiian gods. Make a mini tiki from a cylinder of self-hardening clay at least 6 inches tall. Use various objects to carve and mold your sculpture. Once hardened, paint your tiki brown with areas of color.
Traditional Crafts
Use any medium-sized fresh or silk flower, such as carnations, for leis. Thread a 90-inch string through a long sewing needle, and tie a knot 8 inches from the bottom. Push the needle through the middle of flowers from bottom to top, sliding each flower down the string. Leave room at the top to tie in knots with the bottom end. Cut off the excess string and needle. For hula skirts, cut rope the length of your waist, plus 7 inches. Tie raffia strips around the rope, leaving room at both ends for tying the skirt around the waist. Cut the raffia to equal lengths.
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