04/04/2026
This is a presentation I am humbled to have been asked to give coming up at Central Connecticut State University in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage month coming up on May.
This is a talk, PowerPoint presentation and accompanying lei demonstration I developed last year after an invitation to present my experiences aboard a private cruise to Cabo San Lucas from Hawaii. It is difficult to fully encompass and be sensitive to sharing about the dynamic cultural integration of the art and practice of lei. My journey with it continues!
In few other cultures do flowers hold such a pervasive power, sensual intrigue and symbolic significance. They hold critical importance in Hawaiian culture, from hula to death honoring to expression of aloha for one another.
It continues to be my passion - the study of lei-making and the floral arts. Hence our name: pua (flowers) le'a (passion/excitement/gladness)
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