Akalei Designs is Hawaii's premier designer of handcrafted Kumihimo beaded glass Hawaiian Lei and the world's original Designer of Hawaiian Glass Beaded Forever Lei. Recently featured in Maui on HI Now (Dec 14, 2023) with POP-Up Mãkeke and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. With hundreds of unique designs all our collections are handcrafted on Maui from beads we've sourced from around the globe. Akalei is unique in that we incorporate aspects of floral lei into modern "forever lei" using glass beads with designs normally only seen in the shell lei made famous on the island of Ni’ihau (The Forbidden Island). Please come by to visit our Studio located at the residential condos of Kai Makani. Please text, call or email to schedule with at least 4 hours notice.
These unique glass beaded braids were inspired by the beautiful floral Haku (also known as Po’o) lei traditionally worn around the head. Modeled after the beautiful Hawaiian island flower lei, the original Haku Lei pattern were created exclusively by Akalei Designs. The traditional Hawaiian Lei are typically made from flowers leaves, feathers, or natural fibers resulting in vivid color combinations. However, we are able to expand the choices using a variety of materials and patterns resulting in some remarkable creations.
Ginger Lei are the latest Haku style design for 2021 and combine the best of both the Haku Lei and the Orchid Lei for a distinctive truly original Hawaiian look and feel. See the photo sample below.
Any of these Haku Necklace Lei (Original Haku, Ginger, or the "Mini 3" or "Mini 5") can be customized for Weddings, Anniversaries or Special Holidays. Please send an inquiry to info@akaleidesigns.com.