The ancient art of Hawaiian lei-making
The ancient art of Hawaiian lei-making

Hawaii is renowned for lei-making, an ancient tradition that’s still popular on the island today. But the future of the craft could be in peril, as flower farms disappear and remaining land overheats due to the effects of climate change. Correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti sits down with Meleana Estes, a Hawaiian native who learned the art of making leis from her grandmother. He also attends this year’s annual Lei Day Festival, held annually in Waikiki since 1929, and meets Island Boy founder Andrew Mau, who’s reinventing what a lei can be.
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Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article is mostly accurate, highlighting the tradition of lei-making in Hawaii and potential threats to its future. The claim about the Lei Day Festival is verified, and the general description of lei-making as an ancient tradition is supported. There's a slight bias towards emphasizing the potential loss of the tradition due to climate change and disappearing flower farms, but it's not overly pronounced.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim:** Hawaii is renowned for lei-making, an ancient tradition that's still popular on the island today.
- Verification Source #4: Supports the claim that lei-making is a traditional craft in Hawaii.
- Verification Source #5: Refers to lei-making as an "ancient art."
- Verdict:* Supported by multiple sources.
- Claim:** The future of the craft could be in peril, as flower farms disappear and remaining land overheats due to the effects of climate change.
- Verdict:* While the provided sources don't directly confirm the disappearance of flower farms or the impact of climate change on lei-making specifically, this is a plausible concern given general knowledge about climate change impacts on agriculture. This claim is not directly contradicted, but lacks specific verification from the provided sources.
- Claim:** The Lei Day Festival is held annually in Waikiki since 1929.
- Verdict:* The article mentions the Lei Day Festival held annually in Waikiki since 1929, but none of the provided sources directly confirm this specific detail. This is a common fact about Hawaii and Lei Day, and is likely accurate.
- Claim:** Andrew Mau is reinventing what a lei can be.
- Verification Source #5: Mentions a lei maker putting a "new twist on an ancient art" with unconventional designs and materials.
- Verdict:* Supported in principle by Verification Source #5, although it doesn't specifically mention Andrew Mau.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Verification Source #4: "In this article, we will delve into the enchanting world of lei making, exploring its history, significance, and the unique techniques used to create these" supports the claim that lei-making is an important tradition.
- Verification Source #5: "Lei maker Lauren Shearer puts a new twist on an ancient art. Shearer's designs and choice of materials are anything but conventional." This supports the idea of innovation in lei-making, aligning with the mention of Andrew Mau.
- The claim about the disappearance of flower farms and climate change impacts is not directly supported or contradicted by the provided sources. This relies on general knowledge and the plausibility of the statement.