Over the course of several weeks in November and December, over a dozen Maui Hui Malama clients and staff members participated in a Maui holiday tradition, “Lei Kalikimaka,” making wreaths of native plant materials. Members of Na Hanona Kulike ‘O Pi‘ilani Halau, under the direction of Kumu Kapono‘ai Molitau and Kumu Sissy Lake Farm, provided their expertise, teaching youth about some of the traditions surrounding gathering the plant materials in sustainable ways, and lei-making techniques to form them into unique and attractive wreaths. The youth, for their part, helped out with potluck meals over several evenings, and connected with kupuna and cultural traditions. Exposure to new activities like this, and people from diverse backgrounds, provides Maui Hui Malama clients with opportunities to learn and connect that they might not otherwise receive in school or family settings. The wreaths were later sold at Native Intelligence in Wailuku, as a fundraiser for the halau.
