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Tonya
Lokahi
USA
177 Posts |
 Posted - 12/03/2005 : 10:02:16 AM
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Okay, this may be really a silly question, but I think there must be a secret way to keep a lei from drooping when wearing--and I don't know what it is. Admittedly, I'm only a visitor ever to Hawaii, but I enjoy wearing a lei while there and I always have the problem of it eventually just drooping down to look l like a necklace piece. Other folks seem to be able to keep them up, draped around their shoulders (which is how I always adjust mine when I put it on)--how do they do it??? Note that I'm not being ungrateful--I *still* enjoy the lovely fragrance and feel, no matter where it droops...
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http://www.uketreasures.com
http://www.ukuleletonya.com |
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Pauline Leland
`Olu`olu
USA
783 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2005 : 1:13:47 PM
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| Hey, a good question, Tonya. I'm eager to hear the answer, even for artificial leis. |
Pauline |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2005 : 7:16:02 PM
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| Somehow I don't think the answer is 2 part epoxy |
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neeej
`Olu`olu
USA
643 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2005 : 10:06:30 PM
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Thumbtacks?  |
--Jean S |
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Sarah
`Olu`olu
571 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2005 : 05:05:42 AM
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I'd be interested to know, too, if there is a secret.
What I myself do is keep readjusting the lei, and keep checking it. I use both hands and lightly lift the lei at both shoulders, and adjust it so that it rests equally in front and back.
I really don't know what other people do. I have seen musicians, though, whose lei did droop - so I guess it happens even to the best!
-Sarah |
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Mainkaukau
Lokahi
USA
245 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2005 : 7:07:10 PM
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I had a skinny musician friend who had very droopy shoulders. During a performance a standard size lei would always work it's way down his shoulders onto his arms. If he dropped his arms to his sides the lei would fall pass his waist down to the ground. We eventually started getting him smaller sized leis which worked out fine.
Disclaimer:
(If you read this my skinny ukulele playing friend, I apologize for using you as an example. At least I did'nt mention your pencil shaped head :0) |
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Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2005 : 04:24:07 AM
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Mahalo Eric,
So, does that mean that instead of wearing the lei as a necklace, we should push it out over our shoulders and the tension would keep it there? When I wear a kukui lei, I eventually hang it down my back so that it won't hit stuff and catch on stuff in the front. the plumeria leis are a bit easier as they tend to be a little bit sticky, but each adjustment damages the delicate blooms. Those newer "eyelash" leis would be ideal to drape across shoulders because they have some give to them.
Still need to hear from our pros out there. Any hula folks??
mahalo all!
and mele kalikimaka!! Santa will be here in 3 weeks!!
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slkho
`Olu`olu
740 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2005 : 11:09:17 AM
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Aloha Tonya,
No, its not a silly question. The length of your lei, and flower type sometimes are a factor.
1. If your lei is of proper length, enough of it drapped over your back will keep the appropiate length in front in place. Too short a lei and your "necklace" look will appear, the same goes for a skimppy lei.
2. Flower weight, (yes weight) will also play into this. Too skimppy a lei and it will never stay inplace. Heavier lei's such as carnations, and crown flower will stay in place.
3. Flower type. There is a reason why some lei's are more popular than others. Beauty, fragrance, price, etc... Its no accident flowers like carnations, and crown flower, and ginger are used. Weight. A heavier lei will stay in place longer, and stay fresher longer too. Multiple strands in one lei will also help.
Unless your doing tumbling exercises, or lots of body movement, I can't picture a lei moving around too much. (you could very well get a 10 score for wearing a lei while tumbling I suppose)
As to lei freshness, all lei's shrink, shrivel, thin out, and wilt depending on the flower type and tempreture. Wearing lei's indoors, a lei can last for days. Outdoor wearing can quickly reduce your lei to a choke collar in a few hours.
Naturally, a fresh plastic lei from Woolworth's or Long's last forever....yuk-yuk.
...hope this helps.
-slkho |
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Pauline Leland
`Olu`olu
USA
783 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2005 : 1:44:27 PM
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| Speaking of plastic leis, crocheted leis of ribbon, eyelash yarns, etc., seem to be popular and so apropos for a snowy clime like I'm in at the moment. I just Googled a couple of free patterns that I'm eager to try. I don't know whether they'll stay in place. |
Pauline |
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Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2005 : 2:36:37 PM
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OK, here's the answer: pin it on each side with Safety pins. Auntie Iolana says, "well how else will it stay in place when you are doing a hula??" when I posed the silly question (not silly to us of course). Rik does a great run-down of leis - but here in winter, I made one of camellias, and let me tell you, it may have stayed in place, but it was HEAVY and made shoulders very tired. However, now have scented camellias so we have a winter flower for when plumerias are gone.
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sandman
Lokahi
USA
181 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2005 : 3:52:04 PM
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And slkho, don't forget that nice fresh plastic lei can be flocked for Christmas so it can really last forever (or at least a string of Christmases), hehehehehe
Sandy |
Leap into the boundless and make it your home.
Zhuang-zi |
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Tonya
Lokahi
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2005 : 06:20:26 AM
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Thanks, all. Lots of knowledge--and some validation knowing I'm not the only one with this "issue." Mahalo especially to sikho for the details I hadn't thought of re: lei materials and lengths. I have one of the "eyelash" yarn leis made by Michelle Kiba over in Santa Cruz and I love it for my mainland wearing--but as simple as the plumeria leis are, I'd have to say they're my favorite as far as fragrance. Well, tuberose is a heady whiff of joy, too. Can someone tell me anything that maile leaves smells like? I've always heard they're fragrant, but have never found any to sniff...
In considering all the "how to wear" suggestions, I'm just glad no one suggested duct tape...I'm a backpacker, too, and I'm a bit weary of it being the end-all solution to everything! |
http://www.uketreasures.com
http://www.ukuleletonya.com |
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slkho
`Olu`olu
740 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2005 : 09:21:16 AM
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Hey...duct tape is great stuff.
I'm a backpacker/mountaineer myself. I always have a roll handy.
Zoom severly cut open his leg a month ago, chasing a rabbit, while we were hiking. I was able to perform emergency triage using a tampon (don't ask) & duct tape. Was able to get him to a vet for stiches in time. Vet thought I was pretty resourceful. Try carrying an 85 lb. dog with your pack. No picnic
Glad your lei issue was resolved.
-slkho |
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Tonya
Lokahi
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2005 : 11:10:39 AM
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| ...and to hijack the topic a bit over to duct tape... I had a collision with a piece of aluminum from a WWII bomber at 10,100 feet on a mountaintop in New Mexico a few years back (another 'don't ask' story—but I can now truthfully say that I've been wounded by WWII aircraft at over 10,000 feet), resulting in a very deep puncture in my thigh. Wouldn't you know that they duct taped me up before transporting me back to base camp? You can guess the lovely feelings as the ER doc pulled off the liberal amounts of duct tape. Yowch!! I didn't have to shave my leg for a few weeks, though... |
http://www.uketreasures.com
http://www.ukuleletonya.com |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2005 : 10:40:49 AM
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Makes me think of a nice Christmas present.
Where can one purchase the BEST silk and ribbon or "eyelash" style lei for the lady(ies) in your life? Of course fresh flower and maile leis can't be beat but they do eventually wilt. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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slkho
`Olu`olu
740 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2005 : 08:39:51 AM
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Momilani's I thing sells eyelash lei's in O'side.
-slkho |
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