Learn Traditional Lei Making Class on Maui with Native Hawaiians
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While I don’t book Airbnb stays anymore (for a number of reasons), I do still enjoy the Airbnb Experiences that they offer. Whenever I travel somewhere, I usually take a browse to see if there are any independent tour operators we can support for an experience that is both unique and impactful. On my last visit to Hawai’i, where it is especially important to support local, I found a traditional lei making class on Maui given by Native Hawaiians.
Support local – yes, of course, always – but supporting Native Hawaiians specifically AND DIRECTLY is crucial. I was super excited to see this lei making class on Maui offered, so I booked immediately! If you want to know more about my experience and my thoughts, keep on a-readin’!
Table of Contents
Logistics
Ah yes, the bottom line for booking anything, what are the details of this lei making class on Maui?? For many of us, it comes down to the cost because…yeah, Hawai’i is expensive – Maui included. It is the most expensive state after all. However, if you have the luxury to travel to Hawai’i for leisure, I believe you should budget a little extra to do your trip sustainably in a way that highlights and centers Native Hawaiians and show respect to the land.
With all that said, here are the stats:
| location | Wailuku, Maui (Hawai’i) |
| price (per person) | ~$78 USD |
| duration | 1-2 hours |
Since I’ve never taken a traditional non-touristy lei making class on Maui, I can’t comment on the price. It felt like a fair price for the uniqueness of the experience. The experience is located in Wailuku, or nearby depending on weather (more on that later). If you are staying at Maui Seaside Hotel, a Native Hawaiian owned and operated hotel, then the experience is only a quick 5 minute drive!
The experience last between 1-2 hours, depending on how much you want to talk/engage outside of just physically making the lei. Making just the lei with not too much talking beyond/outside of that will be about 1 hour, however if you get into some good discussions about Hawaiian history and culture (and a few local recommendations), the experience can definitely go closer to 2 hours.
In my opinion, the experience is great for adults, including seniors, and children of grade school age. But of course younger kids would probably enjoy the attempt, especially with the help of an adult, or they can play nearby. The location is accessible for varying mobility ranges, though some hand/finger dexterity is needed to physically craft the lei.
Experience
We were a group of four, me, my boyfriend, and his two parents. From the time of booking all the way up to the day of, communication with the host was fantastic. Speaking of – the hosts!
The two hosts of the lei making class on Maui are Pihanalani and Hoku, two Native Hawaiian women who have lived on the islands their entire life and grew up making leis (and still do!). Pihanalani was the main booking communicator, and she was very sweet and responsive to all of my questions prior to the experience. She also gave a few local recommendations to check out while in Maui!
Since we ha somewhat of a strange schedule, they were able to accommodate our booking request for a different time, which we greatly appreciated!! The customer service was definitely above and beyond!
The day of the experience, we ate lunch beforehand and chilled at the beach until the meeting time. Pihanalani reached out a bit before, 30 minutes or so, with a sweet “see you soon!” which I thought was a genius yet gentle reminder just in case you forgot and needed to start making your way over.
When we arrived at the meeting location, it had started to rain! And not a light drizzle either, it was starting to come down. As it was an outside experience, Pihanalani and Hoku, the other host, quickly brainstormed nearby locations to transfer to that wouldn’t currently be under the rainclouds. In about 30 seconds, they already had a backup plan in place and we were on our way to the alternative destination – about 7 minutes away.
Low and behold – there was no rain!
Honestly, that alone wow’d me haha. So we set up at a picnic table and Pihanalani and Hoku went over the basic components of a lei. Hoku then led the instructional portion of making the lei as Pihanalani gave cultural insight and background on leis. The instruction was great and Hoku individually watched and directed us one-on-one to make sure we had a good basis for our lei.
The lei making class on Maui was full of laughs, encouragement, and heart-warming stories. We learned so much about Hawaiian history and how America attempted to silence and suppress their customs for so long…yet here they are, living and thriving and loudly showcasing their culture. We were so honored and grateful!
We made traditional ti leis and after we finished, we were able to take the extra leaves back with us so we could practice and make more during the rest of our trip on the island. They even told us how to keep our leis fresh and last longer!
Conclusion
I absolutely loved the lei making class on Maui with Pihanalani and Hoku! My only “complaint” would be that I wish it was longer because they were both so friendly and warming – and hilarious! I don’t think you can get this level of attention and unique perspective from many places on Hawai’i, and this lei making class on Maui in particular offered one-on-one guidance and the chance to hold an open discussion with the hosts!
I want to thank Pihanalani and Hoku again for making my trip so memorable and special! Definitely book your lei making class on Maui with them! And if you would like to continue supporting Native Hawaiian businesses on Maui, be sure to book your Road to Hana tour with Hana and Beyond!
Have you ever taken a lei making class on Maui? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!
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