My shopping cart
Your cart is currently empty.
Continue ShoppingAkalei Designs is Hawaii's only designer of handcrafted Kumihimo beaded Hawaiian Lei. With over 100 unique designs we were recently awarded “Best Beaded Lanyard” from The American Kumihimo Society (2023) for our complex braid structures. In addition our silk Hawaiian necklace is being showcased in a commercial for the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Pop-Up Makēkē Market. And another positive compliment was three of our designs were selected in a juried art exhibit in Oahu by The Hawaiian Handweavers Hui. This public recognition reflects how our unique and high quality necklace lei are gaining attention. All our designs are handcrafted on Maui. We are unique in that we are able to 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’iHua (The Forbidden Island).
Green Toned & Beige with Blue Center Necklace Lei & Hat Band- 21"
Inspired by Hawaiian Fashion Designer Manaolo, this super lightweight necklace is unique and versatile. It can be worn separately or together for a total of 3 distinctive looks. The imitation silk fibers are woven together and create a perfect spiral so they fit perfectly together. One braid has two tones beige combined with light blue and the second necklace has two tones of green (dark and mint).
The braid's spiral effect allows it to be worn tighter and shorter or stretched out as a longer necklace for a lower plunge on the neckline. An extra strong matte silver toned magnet end allows you to wear with no worry of it falling off. It measures 21” yet is amazingly light weight. By coiling the spirals you may make it a tighter braid, or tug lightly to stretch out a bit more.
Akalei is Hawaiian for "bead reflections" and "string of multicolored glass beads" which describes this unique necklace lei design style available only here on Maui. We specialize in designing a wide range of modern yet familiar Hawaiian Lei for woman, girls, men and boys.
Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese braid making technique that results in beautiful and strong interlaced cords. This art form goes back hundreds of years as braids were made for use in armor of Japanese samurai warriors.In modern times these braids are designed as obijime (belts) that are worn with a kimono.
Customized orders are welcomed - these braids can be made using Japanese Silks and various small (4-6mm) size pearls or semi-precious stones. Please contact me at info@akaleidesigns.com.
Sign up for our to receive new product alerts, special offers, and coupon codes.
© 2023 Akalei Designs | Powered by Shopify