Volcano Art Center

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Making a Gardenia Lei

Creating a Gardenia Lei

Observe Master Lei Maker Kaipo Ah Chong as he teaches you how to make a traditional gardenia lei.

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Learn how to create a traditional Hawaiian gardenia lei
1 Simple, Engaging Video
Learn about how to best cultivate gardenias for your lei

Welcome To Your Classroom!

Topics Covered In This Class

1Introduction

Learn about Kaipo's background as a lei maker and which seasons are optimal to create a gardenia lei.

2Harvesting Gardenia

Learn the proper way to maintain your gardenia hedges to prevent bugs and other browning elements from tarnishing your flowers prior to harvesting.

3Learning Sewing Direction

Learn how to appropriately cut, center, and position your gardenia for sewing them into a lei.

4Finishing Touches

Discover the finishing touches you can add to your lei to ensure it feels complete.

Class Materials

1. Base Materials

Try to make your lei with strong lasting materials or if possible, biodegradable products. Kite string is a wonderful choice for this project, or biodegradable string. A lei needle will also be needed to string together your lei.

2. Gardenias

Gardenias grow on hedges and can be susceptible to bugs on the flower. To get the best flowers possible for your lei, we highly recommend trimming and taking care of your gardenia hedges in advance of picking your flowers -- this will make the flower selection process easier.

3. Additional Materials

You will also need a bowl filled with water, a single Hawaiian ti leaf (or similar), raffia, and scissors.

DOWNLOAD ALL CLASS MATERIALS

About Your Instructor

Kaipo Ah Chong

A tropical agriculture farmer and member of Halau Na Kamalei, Kaipo Ah Chong shares his expert skills and years of experience with the Volcano community on a regular basis through hands-on demonstrations and workshops at the Volcano Art Center.

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Contact Us

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

We look forward to hearing from you. Our main Gallery in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Our Niaulani Campus Admin Office & Gallery in Volcano Village is open Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Volcano Art Center Niaulani Campus Admin Office
19-4074 Old Volcano Rd, Volcano, HI 96785

808-967-7565 (Gallery in HVNP)
808-967-8222 (Admin Office & Mini Gallery in Volcano Village)

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 129 Volcano, HI 96785

Open Daily (Gallery): 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Mon-Fri (Office & Mini Gallery): 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

 

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Recent News

Hawai’i Nei Invitational Exhibition: Species Of Concern

The Volcano Art Center (VAC) is proud to announce The Hawaiʻi Nei Invitational Exhibition: Species Of Concern on display at the VAC

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Hands-On Clay Workshops

Teaching artist, Erik Wold, will provide instruction for these classes. Our morning class will explore a variety of handbuilding

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Exhibit: Honoring King Kamehameha

Juried art exhibit celebrating 150 years of Hawaiʻi honoring King Kamehameha, The Great. On June 11, 1872, Hawai‘i held its first King

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