In the Mood for Lei: Where to Take Lei-Making Classes on O‘ahu
Here’s where to celebrate Lei Day: we’ve rounded up the many places offering intro classes on the Islands’ signature floral craft.
Editor’s Note: This roundup was first published in May 2024 and has since been updated with the latest info and even more classes.
Photo: Courtesy of Kāhala Hotel & Resort
May Day is Lei Day in Hawai‘i nei, but we can celebrate the tradition of making and sharing lei year-round. Here’s where you can get your flower fix today and beyond the Lei Day celebrations.
Click to the classes you’re interested in:
Class dates and times are current as of publish date.
Free Lei-Making Classes
Photo: Courtesy of Kāhala Hotel & Resort
The Veranda at the Kāhala Hotel & Resort
Haku Kupe‘e Bracelet-Making: Every Thursday, 9 to 10 a.m.
Lei-Making: Every Friday and Sunday, 10 to 11 a.m.
The Kāhala Hotel & Resort offers two classes, one where you can weave a kupe‘e, or bracelet, out of raffia and another for flower lei. Thanks to the Kāhala Initiative for Sustainability, Culture and the Arts, these classes are free and open to the public; reservations are not required.
Free, The Veranda at the Kāhala Hotel & Resort, 5000 Kāhala Ave., kahalaresort.com, @kahala_resort
Photo: Courtesy of Royal Hawaiian Center
Royal Hawaiian Center
Every Friday, 11 a.m. to noon
Learn to make an orchid lei, with all the materials you need provided. This class is first come, first served for up to 24 guests ages 10 and older.
Free, Building C, Level 2, Royal Hawaiian Center, royalhawaiiancenter.com, @royalhwnctr
Photo: Courtesy of International Market Place
International Market Place
Every Third Thursday, noon to 1 p.m.
Head to the open courtyard at the International Market Place for a free flower lei class, while supplies last.
Free, Queen’s Court at the International Market Place, 2330 Kalākaua Ave., shopinternationalmarketplace.com, @intlmktplace
Lei-Making Workshop at the Mu‘umu‘u Library
Saturday, May 3, 1 to 4 p.m.
Enjoy a free lei-making class in the Mu‘umu‘u Library along with live music by Pa‘ahana for the first two hours.
Free while supplies last, Mu‘umu‘u Library inside Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Kaka‘ako, wardvillage.com, @wardvillage
Rock Church O‘ahu Ladies Lei Day
Saturday, May 3, 1 p.m.
Bring your girlfriends and keiki plus any florals or greenery you’d like to weave into lei to this free community event. Along with a lei-making workshop, there will be a hula demonstration and refreshments. Alohawear is encouraged!
Free, Magic Island Lagoon at Ala Moana Beach Park, 1201 Ala Moana Blvd., sdrock.com, @rockchurchoahu
Paid Lei-Making Classes
The Ritz Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 and 9 a.m.
Make an orchid lei with 42 flowers. Reservations are recommended, especially if you’re not a hotel guest.
Free for hotel guests, $50 for nonregistered guests, The Ritz Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay, 57-091 Kamehameha Highway Kahuku, turtlebayresort.com, @turtlebayresort
Sunset Lei-Making Tour at Little Plumeria Farms
Fridays in April through October, 5:45 to 7 p.m.
Take a guided sunset stroll through the plumeria garden, which features many varieties cultivated only at this farm, then pick flowers in a designated area. You’ll then string those plumeria into your own lei to take home.
$65, Little Plumeria Farms, Hale‘iwa, littleplumeriafarms.com, @littleplumeriafarms
SEE ALSO: Little Plumeria Farms Offers Guided Tours on O‘ahu’s North Shore
Lei-Making Class at Hana Koa Brewing Co.
Thursday, May 1, 6 p.m.
Learn how to make a lei in a relaxed setting with Mean Woman Flowers. The ticket price also includes one specialty cocktail, beer or mocktail, and all supplies are provided.
$75, Hana Koa Brewing Co., 962 Kawaiaha‘o St., Kaka‘ako, hanakoabrewing.com, @hanakoabrewing
Lei for May at Fishcake
Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn to make lei kupe‘e (bracelet) with Emma Kam in the wili style.
18+, $75, Fishcake Hawai‘i, 307 Kamani St., fishcake.us, @fishschoolhawaii
SEE ALSO: Feed Your Artistic Appetite With Fishschool Classes
Lei-Making and Tea-Tasting Experience at Plantoem
Sunday, June 22
Make a plumeria lei while enjoying four tea varieties in this lush garden shop, with a tea maker on hand to share the taste profile, benefits and qualities of each tea. All materials provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own flowers to add to your lei.
$32, Plantoem, 3457 Wai‘alae Ave. #Unit 203, plantoem.com, @plantoem
Eco Mindful Lei at the Samurai House
Next class TBA
Enjoy golden hour with light bites and poolside lei-making at the famous Samurai House on the North Shore. Bring a swimsuit if you want to take a dip.
$140, 61-205 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa, ecomindfullei.com, @eco.mindful.lei
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Stamen + Style at Island-Boy Shop
Next class TBA
Stamen + Style shook up the lei-making scene with its innovative flower-blocking style. Now, owner Jill Harunaga is offering classes at Island-Boy Shop so you too can turn a medley of flowers into chic, multi-stranded lei. See what the class is like in this reel, and sign up for Island-Boy’s newsletter to be the first to know about the next one.
$120, Island-Boy Shop, 3464 Wai‘alae Ave., islandboy.shop, @islandboy.shop, @jharunaga
SEE ALSO: Bloom Bloom, Pow! These Flower-Blocked Lei Pack a Punch
Photo: Credit Jessica A.H. Pine, Courtesy of Lulu’s Lei + Bouquets
Paid Lei Po‘o Workshops
A lei po‘o is a lei for the head, similar to a flower crown.
SEE ALSO: How to Make Your Own Lei Po‘o
Photos: Courtesy of Eco Mindful Lei
Eco Mindful Lei at Waikīkī Beach
- May 1, noon
- May 15, noon
Enjoy the sea breeze as you craft a lei po‘o with locally sourced flowers and greenery in a shaded area of Waikīkī Beach. Each class is limited to 8 people. Private workshops are also offered.
$88, Waikīkī Beach, ecomindfullei.com, @eco.mindful.lei
Island-Boy Shop at the Ossipoff Cabin
Next class TBA
Head up to the picturesque Ossipoff Cabin in Pālehua and learn how to make a lei po‘o from Courtney Monahan of Paiko and Pua Hana and Andrew Mau of Island-Boy Shop. All materials will be provided, with an emphasis on using invasive plants. Each class is limited to 13 people. Tickets are nonrefundable but can be transferred to someone else. See the website for more details on getting there.
$165, Ossipoff Cabin (address shared after booking), islandboy.shop, @islandboy.shop
SEE ALSO: 40 Amazing Things to Do
Photos: Credit Jessica A.H. Pine, Courtesy of Lulu’s Lei + Bouquets
Lulu’s Lei + Bouquets
2 hours; check online for class schedule
Learn to make a lei po‘o in a lovely flower shop setting. All materials are included, and up to 15 people can attend a class. Keiki are welcome; those younger than 8 can have a parent assist them. Private off-site workshops are also offered.
$95, Lulu’s Lei + Bouquets, 66-250 D102 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa, lulusleiandbouquets.com, @lulusleiandbouquets
Mean Woman Flower Farm
2 hours; check online for class schedule
Make a lei po‘o with flowers sourced directly from this local farm in Hale‘iwa and guidance from the owner Callie. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended.
$85, Mean Woman Flower Farm, Hale‘iwa, @meanwomanflowers
O‘ahu Leis
1.5 hours; check online for class schedule
Host Kiana leads this workshop at her home in Lā‘ie and offers a variety of locally sourced flowers with which to make lei po‘o. She also shares the cultural background of lei. Each class can accommodate up to 10 people, and private workshops are available by request. Can’t make it to Lā‘ie? There’s an online course available for $69.
$125 for adults, $59 for keiki ages 8–12, 20% off when you book at least two weeks in advance, oahuleis.com, @oahuleis
Photo: Credit Rachel Kapule, Courtesy of Palai
Palai
Check online for class schedule
Receive group and one-on-one guidance on how to craft locally harvested botanicals into a lei po‘o. The class is recommended for those ages 12 and up, but keiki are welcome with adult supervision. Private workshops are also offered.
$100–$110, palaihawaii.com, @palai.hi
Andrea Lee is the digital editor of HONOLULU Magazine.
