More and more Native Hawaiians are moving to the Pacific Northwest. In fact, Washington state has the third largest number of Kanaka Maoli, or Native Hawaiians, outside of Hawaii and California.

As they move here, people are bringing their beloved customs and traditions with them. Like the artform of making lei, which are garlands made using all kinds of materials including flowers, nuts, clay and feathers.

Seattle Times business reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton belongs to this community and was curious about how cultural traditions and customs have evolved in the Seattle area. Her article, Hawaiian lei makers blossom in Seattle area, but challenges grow, dives into this issue.

Boyanton spoke with Meet Me Here host Jeannie Yandel about what she learned from local lei-makers for this story, and about the history of lei in Hawaii. 

This interview originally ran on KUOW's daily news podcast, Seattle Now. 

 

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