We are thrilled to be selling with Lahaina Arts Society starting monthly in 2026. Our booth is located at the Cannery Mall in Lahaina from 10am to 3pm (please call for dates). Otherwise please call to schedule an in-person appointment. We continue expanding by teaching Kumihimo 2.0 throughout the islands and during the 2026 Gathering hosted by the American Kumihimo Society in Minneapolis, MN, Sept 28-31st link here -https://amksoc.org/featured-home/gathering-2026-save-the-date/) Our classes focus on confident beginners and emphasize the blending of Japanese tradition with island inspired Hawaiian necklace lei.
Akalei Designs reimagines traditional kumihimo and creates truly unique aloha inspired Forever Lei. Find us at the Cannery Mall in Lahaina - check schedules on website and instagram. All our jewelry is handcrafted exclusively on Maui..
Hawaii is filled with inspiration from the beaches, landscapes, flowers and lei. After years of studying with some of the world's most talented Kumihimo braiding artists and teachers it was a perfect time to explore different bead shapes, colors and patterns specifically for men (Kane) but woman find these just as exciting. Most of these designs are longer in length to replicate the natural seed pods or Kukui Nut Hawaiian Lei, but are all made using glass beads.
Other concepts have grown from experimenting with bead shapes and colors. The fun of creating is endless as are the designs. Each necklace is woven using over hundreds or even thousands of beads and finished with a magnetic end clasp. Custom orders can be done normally within two weeks (in Maui or Hawaiian Islands). In this collection we are also using larger beads along with Magatama or Dragon Scale beads the largest bead available.