LEI ALOHA

Explore Hawaiian culture through the art of lei making with flower inspirations and gorgeous photography from stylist, fashion designer, and local island icon Meleana Estes.

LEI ALOHA tells the story of the flowers, craftsmanship, and community of lei culture, offering a window into this beautiful world where life is a little slower, flowers are abundant, and personal connections run deep. Meleana continues the legacy of her native Hawaiian grandmother, who was well known for her intricate and stunning lei. Sprinkled throughout the book also are anecdotes about the fascinating history of flowers, lei, and island traditions.

Brimming with vibrant photos of the most famous flower garlands of Hawai'i in dreamy island settings, each chapter goes through the groupings of flowers and lei and how to use them for any occasion: plumerias for a sweet gathering of neighborhood keiki (kids), elegant strands of white and yellow ginger for a candle-lit party, or striking haku (woven) lei made for hula performances.

Beyond that, every flower has its own meaning imbued in leis - beautiful yellow and red feathers from Hawaiian honeycreepers were reserved for ali'i (royalty). Forest plants like maile, palapalai, lapalapa, and its more oval-leafed cousin '?lapa ("dancer") were associated with Laka, goddess of both the forest and of hula. And lei made from delicate 'ilima flower, is only meant for special occasions.

Using only the language of flowers to communicate all there is to be said, the special touch of a lei makes life celebrations (both joyful and tragic) and regular days more memorable. Below are some of the evocative spreads you can look forward to...

Stylist and lei expert Meleana Estes learned to make lei from her native Hawaiian grandmother. After launching her career in fashion design in New York, Meleana moved back to Hawai?i, and today her lei are in demand for fashion shows, photo shoots, workshops, and social media collaborations, and are inspiring a new generation of lei makers and flower shops. She is the founder of the Meleana lifestyle brand, and her work has been featured in Coastal Living, French Elle, Vogue Japan, Garance Dore, CNN, and the BBC. She lives in Honolulu, Hawai?i.

Jennifer Fiedler is the author of THE ESSENTIAL BAR BOOK, which was featured in the New York Times and the Boston Globe, among others. She is a co-author of BROOKLYN BEER SHOP'S BEER MAKING BOOK, a contributor to the Wildsam Hawai?i edition, and former editor at Wine Spectator magazine. She lives in Haleiwa, Hawai?i.