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Overview
Background
This is a kukui lei from Hawaii. It is made from the seeds of the kukui - a tree that is utilised by Hawaiian people for many things. The wood is used in the making of dug out canoes, the bark makes up part of the composition for black paint used to paint canoes, the juice from the root is used to color tapa and its oil for healing.
The kukui lei is known as the lei of light. Historically, indigenous Hawaiians burned the nuts of the kukui as a source of light and strung them together to form torches. It was common for kukui torches to be lit for a chief after sunset when they were ready to eat. It is also recorded that fishermen returning from the sea in the early morning and searched for the light of burning kukui to help guide them home.
Significance
This lei was left by an unidentified Hawaiian visitor to Te Papa Tongarewa on the 13 May 1998. The lei was placed on the display case of the 'ahu 'ula (feather cloak FE000327) that formerly belonged to 18th century Hawaiian chief Kalaniopu'u, probably as a sign of respect.
In general, a kukui lei is believed by its wearer to symbolise respect and wellness when gifted. This lei is a personal adornment and that it was anonymusly left behind by a Hawaiian visitor in reverence to Kalaniopu'u's 'ahu'ula adds to its significance.
This act of gifting highlights the connection between a museum visitor and an precious cultural treasure viewed in the museum, and serves as a reminder of the rich histories and continuing relevance items held in a museum have with contemporary indigenous people.
References
Malo, D. (1951). Hawaiian Antiquities (Moolelo