Lei creations can be reused — even devoured

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Staff Writer

This faux 'ohai ali'i lei created by Ernestine Spence is made of yarn from Italy. Photos by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The "big fortune" lei is one of several new faux-lei creations. The large fortune cookie is worn like a giant medallion.

Fresh is always best, but faux is fab for its everlasting quality. The yarn variety lasts a lifetime, but a cookie cutie, suitable for hungry moms or grads, is one that snacks up quite well.

Ernestine Spence of 'Aina Haina has emerged as the trend-setter for exquisite wear-and-keep yarn lei. She's noted for her delicate 'ohai ali'i lei ($35) fashioned from yarn from Italy.

Her newest creation is a "flat" lei ($45), which sits around the shoulder like a Christina- or maunaloa-style lei, created with orange and yellow yarn and ribbons and white beads. Many of her specialties, such as a new green and white number representing green dendrobium orchids and pikake, are in the $40 range; faux rose-bud lei are $30.

Lei are edible this year; a "smart cookie" garland ($12), created with a dozen cookies adorned with 'ilima-hued flower and green leaf, is fragile and perishable. The theory is, you eat it after you get it. This is one of several new varieties, available at Wabi-Sabi in Kaimuki.

Another is the "big fortune" lei, which is a lanyard with a monster-sized fortune cookie worn like a giant medallion ($8), that will bring good wishes, if nothing else.

Wabi-Sabi, which prides itself on Island themes and things, also has a "suck seed" lanyard ($8) boasting a bag of li hing mui and a penny-wise number ($8) that offers congratulatory thoughts ("you made it and it was worth every cent"), accompanied by a sack of pennies.

For inquiries about yarn lei, e-mail Spence at etspence@hawaii.rr.com or call 373-9427. For the whimsical edible and novelty lei, call Wabi-Sabi at 734-3693 or visit the shop at 1223 Koko Head Ave., No. 4.