This two-and-a-half-hour workshop is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of Hawaii as well as learn the time-honored skill of lei making. The workshop will open with a Hawaiian blessing and will continue with the history, etiquette, and crafting styles of lei as well as the meaning behind specific flowers. This is a hands-on participation class and is best suited for those with some basic crafting skills. You will leave the class with a basic body adornment to take home and share with others. In Hawaiian tradition, giving a lei is a meaningful expression of aloha, representing love, honor, respect, and connection. The act of gifting a lei shares the spirit of community and celebration.
All class materials will be provided with flowers hand selected and picked from local flower farm, Happiness Blooms. We do encourage you to bring flowers or greenery from your own gardens to discuss how local flora can be used and incorporated into your personal project.
Kymberlee Nalumaluhia originally hails from the east coast but has made the eastern Sierra her home for over 30 years with several years intermission on Oahu. While residing in Hawaii, Kymberlee studied hula under the renowned master kumu Ainsley Halemanu. She has performed in hundreds of hula shows in Waikiki, captivating audiences from around the globe. One of the highlights of her hula journey included the rare and unique opportunity to perform on the sacred stage reserved for the Merrie Monarch. With hula elites, chanters and musicians like Kealiʻi Reichel, the World Hula Conference featured over 800 performers from around the world participating in a sacred once in a lifetime performance. Additionally, Kymberlee has taught hula and lei making here in Bishop for over 15 years and has shared her love of hula with the public at community events and private engagements.
