Kukui

Kukui, or the candlenut tree, grows a few different materials that are used in lei. Because the kukui’s oil and nuts were used as a candle and primary source of light in ancient days, the tree and its elements are associated with symbols of enlightenment and knowledge. With these meanings in mind, the pale green, silvery, pointed leaves are used in a lei hīpuʻu often given at graduations or ceremonial events recognizing an educational accomplishment or space of learning and knowledge. The shell of the kukui nut can be sanded down and smoothed out and made into a lei kui. The flowers of the kukui tree are small and grow in bunches, but are not typically used in lei.

Kukui is considered to be the kinolau, or body form of Lono, one of the four main Hawaiian gods. It is because of this association with Lono that hula practitioners who perform mele for or about him adorn themselves with lei made from kukui nuts and/or kukui leaves.