Tik
My name is Tik [Teak] Moore and I am the owner of Hawaiian Heirloom Lei. I began learning about making lei at the age of two as I sat on the floor and watched my Grandparents string jasmine lei every day during the season. My lei designs have been greatly inspired by my husband Craig, a well-known retired paniolo, farrier and artist from Upcountry Maui, Hawaii who has worked Internationally in the equine industry. His love of Hawaii and Hawaiian Culture will always be a major part of who he is.
When you deal with Hawaiian Heirloom Lei you are dealing with me. I am in charge of all communication, quality control, I answer your emails, answer your phone calls, closely inspect, pack and ship each order to assure that our customers get the very best creation and service possible.
Our lei may be used in fashion, Hula, gifts for Graduation, Marriage, Award Presentations, Birthdays or simply gifts of Love and Aloha. Our Ohana is very happy to present the Best Hand Crafted Lei in the world. Ancient Hawaiians excelled in the creation of permanent lei made of feathers, ivory, beads, shells and even teeth. …….our lei last forever.
When you order from us WE TREAT YOU LIKE ROYALTY.
Mahalo,
Tik Moore
Maile Lei
Maile Lei is a traditional Hawaiian wedding lei also known as “Lei of Royalty”. Maile [my lee] is a fragrant shrub vine that is endemic to The Hawaiian Islands. It is certainly one of the most popular and oldest lei steeped in history and tradition. The maile lei is a symbol of courtship and love. It also may be given for any reason including honor, respect, friendship, peace worn Hula Dancing, at weddings, graduations, birthdays, proms, anniversaries, awards or presentations. Maile leaves are believed to protect the wearer, bestow good luck, and even possess healing powers. Maile is associated with the Goddess of Hula named Laka. Maile is still ceremoniously placed on Laka’s alter at Hula Heiaus [Temples]. The making of maile lei is a special memory for all who have had the privilege.
Our Maile Lei Series may be worn single or triple strand. Our Presentation Lei are large single strand lei. We ship three single strand maile lei when ordering the triple strand. Open the three lei, hold by one end and gently spin together winding the same way as we make fresh maile lei.
Unfortunately the maile availability in Hawaii has long been unable to supply Hawaii’s need for fresh maile and most of the maile lei are imported from the Cook Islands. Hawaiian Heirloom Lei greatly encourages the continuing Hawaiian tradition of fresh lei making and only provides a new alternative to meet the world’s growing demand for maile lei.
Our maile lei last forever and we offer a LIFETIME GUARANTEE on our lei with normal use. If you ever have a problem, contact us, send us your lei, we will fix it or replace it and return it to you. Our lei lasts as long as your special memories.
Kukui Nut Lei
The Kukui Nut tree is the State Tree of Hawaii. Kukui nuta have traditionally been used for light, a remedy for headaches, fevers, ulcers, swollen joints, skin moisturizer, a natural dye for tattoos and kapa cloth, as a top like toy called hu, as a laxitive, hair stimulant, tooth aches, oil for lomi lomi massage, to make inamona, waterproofing canoes and surfboards, to measure time and by fishermen.
The kukui nut lei was only worn by Royaly in ancient times.
The up to 80 foot high kukui tree holds much symbolism for Hawaiians. The kukui nut represents protection, enlightenment, knowledge, learning and light. Lei Kukui along with shell lei, feather lei, seed lei and our lei are special because they will last indefinitely.
The kukui is believed to be a kinolau or physical manifestation of Lono, the god of agriculture, fertility, and love to name a few. Every year the Makahiki Festival was held to celebrate life and peace and to honor Lono. This is why hula dancers who perform mele about Lono adorn themselves with lei kukui.
The artists of Hawaiian Heirloom Lei have taken lei kukui one step further. We first hand select only the finest kukui to make our lei. Then we have them covered with 6 microns of copper in a process called electroforming and immediately have the m electroplated with one micron thick silver to prevent tarnished and oxidization of the copper. We can use the kukui at this stage to keep costs down for our family of customers or have them electroplated again with another micron thick of Silver, Yellow Gold or Rose gold creating kukui with up to 6 microns of precious metals, 12 times the normal thickness of electroplating which produces plating that lasts much longer and is of higher quality.
The combinations and models of lei kukui we are able to create are endless. We list only a small percentage of what we can do. If you want a specific lei of your own design, please just let us know and we will create your own special lei for you and no extra cost. Our artists put their whole heart into creating lei for you and it would be our pleasure.
Aloha
Hawaiian Heirloom Lei
After a decade of hearing my husband Craig share his decades of stories about riding his mules on the slopes of Haleakala, through Haleakala crater and down Kaupo Gap hunting wild pigs, roping wild goats, picking Akala berries to make pies, ohelo berries to make jam and making fresh maile lei, it just seemed like a natural thing for us to team up to share his lei designs with you.
Craig’s love of Hawaii and the way of life it taught him and my knowledge of different languages, my knowledge of the Silversmiths in Lanna culture and my bachelor’s degree in business has inspired me to create Hawaiian Heirloom Lei. The lei are his design from his many years of experience making maile lei on the slopes of Haleakala, Maui.
The Hawaiian Heirloom Maile Lei Series is created from the same aloha as the meaning of the lei. Each lei is made from our hearts and hope that you feel the mana in yours when you wear one. We look forward to our road together with you and the evolution of Hawaiian Heirloom Lei.
Mahalo.
Tik Moore