Hands-On Lei Making with Gina Kananipua at The Lei Garden Pond

On the North Shore of Kauaʻi, in the small town of Kilauea, the Specialty Kui Lei Class with Gina Kananipua turns morning light into a lesson in place and practice. Held beside the Lei Garden Pond under an open lei tent, this two-hour workshop gathers up to twelve students for a slow, deliberate session of lei kui and lei a‘i making using local florals, shells, wood, and leaves. Gina Kananipua, a renowned lei maker from O'ahu, leads hands-on instruction that balances technique, the seasonal rhythms of plant materials, and the cultural context behind each knot and braid. The class is designed for learners age eight and up who want to make something by hand and understand why certain plants are prized for lei. Expect to begin check-in at 8:45AM and move through paced demonstrations, guided practice, and time for questions. The setting - the shaded tent, the nearby pond, and the unpaved paths that lead across the property - matters: students handle delicate tufts of flowers and fragile shells sourced for their scent, texture, and local significance. You leave with your finished lei, a clear technique for repeating the style, and stories about island materials and seasonality. What makes this offering stand out in Kauaʻi’s outdoor-recreation scene is its combination of craft, ecology, and cultural instruction. Rather than a quick craft table, this is a specialty class with a guest teacher; the syllabus is intimate and intentional. Flora are introduced in context - how coastal and native species behave through the seasons, which leaves hold scent best, and how shells and wood are used respectfully. In short, it’s a hands-on cultural exchange that connects visitors directly to a place they may only briefly visit. Practical notes: the workshop will be in open air and requires walking on unpaved ground; let organizers know about physical accommodations ahead of time. Drinks are available for purchase but not included. Bring comfortable clothing for sitting and light movement, sun protection, and a small bag for your finished lei. The one-time special class listed for Thursday, March 12th is an opportunity to learn a different lei style than more general sessions. Why book it? If your trip to Kauaʻi is about more than photo ops - if you want tactile learning, a quiet morning with a cultural teacher from O'ahu, and a keepsake made by your own hands - this Specialty Kui Lei Class with Gina Kananipua delivers a focused, respectful experience that deepens appreciation for native materials and the practices that shape Hawaiian place-making. Sessions meet at The Lei Garden Pond and cap at twelve students, allowing close guidance. Ages eight and up are welcome. The relaxed pace rewards curiosity, and instruction stresses seasonal sourcing, plant stewardship, and respect for Hawaiian cultural practice.