LEHUA/PALAPALAI The ohia lehua offers blooms in bright bursts of red, most commonly seen in lei po‘o, or head lei. The flowers, more rarely seen in gold, white and pink, can often be found in lei along with the leaf buds. The palapalai fern, also used to make lei, is believed to be the kinolau (earthly manifestation) of Hi‘iaka, Pele's younger sister.
Sources: Bishop Museum Ethnobotany Database, Duane Choy (Star-Advertiser archives) and Mililani Allen for the World Invitational Hula Festival
OVER THE YEARS >> 2001: Natasha Kamalamalamaokalailokokapu‘uwaimehanaokekeikipunahe le Oda, Halau O Ka Ua Kani Lehua >> 2002: Malia Ann Kawailanamalie Petersen, Hula Halau ‘o Kamuela >> 2003: Jennifer Kehaulani Oyama, Halau Na Mamo ‘o Pu‘uanahulu >> 2004: Natasha Mahealani Akau, Halau Na Mamo ‘o Pu‘uanahulu >> 2005: Maile Emily Kau‘ilanionapuaehi‘ipoiokeanuenueokeola Francisco, Halau Na Mamo ‘o Pu‘uanahulu >> 2006: Bernice Alohanamakanamaikalanimai DavisLim, Na Lei o Kaholoku (pictured) >> 2007: Keonilei Ku‘uwehiokala Kaniaupio Fairbanks, Halau Ka Pa Hula o Kauanoe Wa‘ahila >> 2008: Kalimakuhilani Akemi Kalamanamana Suganuma, Keolalaulani Halau ‘Olapa ‘o Laka (pictured at bottom) >> 2009: Cherissa Henoheanapuaikawaokele Kane, Halau Ke‘alaokamaile >> 2010: Mahealani Mika Hirao-Solem, Hula Halau ‘o Kamuela >> 2011: Tori Hulali Canha, Halau Ke‘alaokamaile >> 2012: Rebecca Lilinoekekapahauomaunakea Sterling, Halau Mohala ‘Ilima