At Haku Maui, you’ll find lei that’s been handcrafted for a variety of occasions—weddings, graduations, baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries, et al. They even offer lei made of silk flowers and foliage to cherish long after its received. Regardless of style, there’s no wire, ribbon or floral tape used, often it’s dried banana leaf that they grow and gather themselves. Haku Maui uses native plants and supports local farmers, and even grows some of the specialty flowers and foliage themselves, too.

The shop’s experience is much more than simply picking up lei. Owner Britney Texeira and her team (which includes her mom and lifelong friend) pride themselves on getting to know their customers. They want to be sure that the flowers and foliage used and the style chosen, is right for you.

To try your hand at making these beautiful and meaningful garlands, Haku Maui hosts workshops every Wednesday and Saturday. Workshops are held in a quaint, private studio behind the boutique in Makawao, which also happens to be Texeira’s hometown.

Texeira and her team exude pure aloha and take pride in this tradition and their craft. They don’t see this as a job, but a calling, of sorts, to teach the next generation to love and appreciate lei as much as they do. Therefore, these special workshops are not only enjoyable but truly educational. When you walk back through the lush gardens and into the studio space, it feels like you’re being welcomed into the team’s home. There, you’ll learn the art of traditional lei making, the meaning of lei in Hawaiian culture—including protocols that they themselves adhere to—as well as intentions to set while you’re making your lei. You’ll leave having experienced true aloha spirit and of course your very own piece of wearable art.

643A Baldwin Ave., Makawao