HAWAII — A handwoven lei can bring hope to individuals suffering from tragedy. Lei weaved from the leaves of Hawaiian ti plants have been used for spiritual protection, purification and healing since ancient Hawaii times. Now Kauai residents can share
HAWAII — A handwoven lei can bring hope to individuals suffering from tragedy.
Lei weaved from the leaves of Hawaiian ti plants have been used for spiritual protection, purification and healing since ancient Hawaii times.
Now Kauai residents can share their aloha with those affected by the mass shooting in Las Vegas.
“With the terrible news of the horrific massacre shooting in Las Vegas, the community wants to make another mile-long lei to bring to Hawaii’s ninth island,” said Cyrila Pycha, of the real estate company RE/MAX Kauai, who is helping organize volunteers for the effort.
A collaboration of community groups across the island chain is creating a mile-long lei to bring hope to a situation that resulted in 59 people dead and more than 500 injured.
The lei making is headquartered on Maui and is being made alongside a lei the Pacific Cancer Foundation is currently weaving for the Paddle for Life event from Lahaina to Lanai this Saturday. When the lei makers and foundation members heard news of the shooting, they decided to make a lei for Las Vegas as well.
The idea was surfaced, in part, by Pycha’s brother, Ron Panzo and his wa’a Team Nalu.
“My brother Ron Panzo on Maui, co-restaurant owner of the popular Nalu’s South Shore Grill in Kihei, is on yet another mission of spreading Hawaii’s aloha weaving another ‘Lei of Aloha’,” Pycha said.
The group is now gathering at Panzo’s restaurant in Kihei to create the lei, as well as organizing various weaving locations on Kauai, Oahu and Big Island to spread the message of hope.
“My brother has asked me to request Kauai people join in their cause,” Pycha said.
Panzo’s restaurant previously organized the creation of mile-long lei to send hope to victims of tragedies in Paris and Orlando, in addition to one welcoming Hokulea.
“Our goal is to make a mile-long lei and hand deliver it by a small group of Maui and Kauai contingents next week,” Pycha said. “We have done it before for the Paris bombing, the Orlando shootings and for a happier occasion, the homecoming of the Hokulea that sailed around the world for the last three years.”
Efforts are already underway at Nalu’s South Shore Grill where volunteers can drop off and weave part of the lei this week. The giant lei will then be sent to Lanai on Saturday before reaching its final destination in Las Vegas.
“We will need volunteers to bring ti leave leis, pre-woven in 100-foot increments, and drop it off at the RE/MAX Kauai office in Kapaa around the corner from the new Ross Store at the Kauai Village Shopping Center where Safeway is located,” Pycha said. “Maui’s Nalu’s canoe team along with RE/MAX Kauai, their friends and ohana will be weaving lei all week long until we reach the goal. Beginners and malihini are welcome, and we will be happy to teach.”
Donations are welcomed to support costs for delivering the lei to Las Vegas next week and accommodations for volunteers representing the Hawaiian islands.
“We need many volunteers to harvest hundreds of ti leaves,” Pycha said. “I am sure there are lau ki farmers or people’s yards full of ti leaf plants out there. We need your kokua and/or help get the word out wikiwiki!”
Info: Cyrila Pycha, 635-4495, rekmgr@gmail.com
