Hana a ʻOki Lei Piko: UH Hilo Hawaiian language college starts new school year creating traditional lei piko

Posted on September 3, 2025January 31, 2026 by Staff

As is tradition at Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani, Hana a ʻOki Lei Piko events were held at the start of the new semester.

Four people gather holding hands for pule. — A pule begins the day of gathering leaves and flowers for the lei piko on Aug. 22.

Man gather large leaves from a tree. — Gathering leaves.

Two people gather leaves from a tree. — More leaves are gathered.

Woman harvests grass. — Pili grass is gathered.

By Susan Enright/UH Hilo Stories.

Aerial view of college, red curved roof, surrounded by forest with stream running on the side. — Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, UH Hilo.

As is tradition at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Hawaiian language college, Hana a ʻOki Lei Piko events were held at the start of the new semester. Piko translates as the umbilical cord, here the lei symbolizing connection between generations, honoring the nurturing of students as they move forth with their studies. The lei piko is hung at the top of the entrance way to Haleʻōlelo, the building that houses Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani, where it stays all semester.

“The lei piko is a physical manifestation of our hopes and aspirations for the academic year.” says Pele Harman, UH Hilo’s director of Native Hawaiian engagement. “It honors a tradition rooted in our ʻike kupuna (the knowledge of the elders) while also adapting to guide us in our modern journey.”

Leaves and grasses are gathered together on a woven mat. — The harvest is gathered together.

Hands weave the greenery together. — The leaves and flowers are woven together into a large lei piko.

Hands gather together the leaves for weaving. — Every gesture in the art of weaving lei is done carefully and thoughtfully.

Close up of hands holding a bundle of leaves. — The lei piko is bursting with life.

This year, the activities began on Aug. 22 with a pule before gathering the flowers and leaves, and then continued on the 25th with ceremonies at the entrance to the college.

From UH Hilo’s Instagram:

Every year, the Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language ʻohana comes together to make and cut a lei piko to start the new school year.

Faculty, staff, and student representatives gather plants for their symbolic meaning, like ʻulu to ensure a year of ULU or growth, or manakō to capture the MANA or strength to hoʻoKŌ or complete the tasks at hand, and even pili grass for the PILINA or relationships that bind us together in that work.

With many hands working as one, these intentions are woven into a Lei Piko – a lei that hangs at the piko of Haleʻōlelo all year long.

The ceremony ends with cutting the lei’s piko (center piece) – symbolizing the birth of our new academic year.

Group at the college entrance way, some blowing conch shells. — Ceremonies at the Hana a ʻOki Lei Piko event held at the college on Aug 25 opens with the sounding of pū (conch shells).

Group gathers with state flag. — The group gathers for Hana a ʻOki Lei Piko.

Large lei hangs in entrance way. — Lei piko is hung at the entrance to the college.

Two people on ladders to reach the lei piko, one cuts the center dangle with a chopping tool. — The ceremony ends with cutting the lei’s piko (center piece), symbolizing the birth of the new academic year.

Screenshot photos from University Relations/UH Hilo video short.

Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.

Share this story