Make Your Own Kukui Nut Leis: An Interactive Polynesian Activity
Kukui Nuts have been used in Hawaiian culture for thousands of years, for everything from soothing skin to crafting necklaces for chiefs and kings. And now, guests have the opportunity to create their very own Kukui Nut leis on select afternoons in the Great Ceremonial House lobby! We stopped by on a sunny Wednesday afternoon and easily found the activity table set up in the middle of the lobby. This is a popular activity that draws a lot of interest from guests walking by, so it’s best to arrive at the beginning of the scheduled activity time if possible.
Leis cost $15 for a child-sized necklace and $20 for an adult-sized necklace. However, we found that the child-size lei will fit adults just fine. Anyone is welcome to join in this activity, and participants do not need to be Disney resort guests. Getting set up is kind of a slow process, as Cast Members can help only one guest at a time. When it’s your turn, they’ll tell you about the history of the Kukui Nut, show you an example of a whole Kukui Nut, and explain that the beads we’ll be using on our necklaces are actually hollow Kukui Nut shells that have been painted. Did you know that Kukui Nut trees are Hawaii’s state tree, and Disney’s Polynesian Village has several of these trees growing around the resort?
After selecting your necklace size and paying, you’re asked to choose your ribbon color - there are quite a few to choose from, and the Cast Member will cut your ribbon to size and seal the ends with a quick pass through a flame so they don’t unravel. Then, you’re asked to choose your Kukui Nut colors. There are multiple colors available, and the smaller child-size lei is made with 16 Kukui Nuts. They recommend that you stick to 3-4 colors, but you’re allowed to choose any combination of colors that you’d like. Some Kukui Nuts even have designs on them (one of our choices was a black Kukui Nut with a silver turtle painted on it). A few colors have limited availability, so the earlier you arrive, the more colors you’ll be able to choose from.
After making your selections, the Cast Members will put your Kukui Nuts and ribbon in a coconut shell bowl and hand it to you, along with a loop tool that you’ll use to slide the Kukui Nuts onto the ribbon. They’ll wait until they have a group of a few people ready to get started, then get the group seated together in the lobby. Then, a Cast Member will spend about five minutes with each group, teaching them how to make their leis. It’s a little complicated and not as easy as sliding beads onto the ribbon, so older kids can generally do this independently, while younger kids will need a little help. We had a fantastic instructor who spent time explaining each step with simple, clear instructions and encouraging everyone through the activity with lots of positivity. Once everybody seems to have the hang of it, Cast Members will leave you to finish the lei on your own but are still around to help if needed. Repeating each step until every Kukui Nut has been added to the ribbon takes about 20 minutes, and then you can return to the activity table and they’ll tie the final knot and turn it into a necklace.
Disney’s Polynesian Village is consistently dedicated to providing guests with authentic Hawaiian activities, and this is no exception. It was a fun and restful project to focus on and the completed Kukui Nut lei is a great souvenir. Anyone who enjoys jewelry making will especially enjoy this activity, and it’s a wonderful indoor option for guests wanting to escape the afternoon heat. Make Your Own Kukui Nut Leis is a fun addition to the Polynesian and a great way to immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture!
Make Your Own Kukui Nut Leis | Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:00-6:30PM | Polynesian Village | Great Ceremonial House Lobby
*Activity dates and times listed here were accurate at the time this review was published. Resort activities and activity schedules may change month-to-month, so be sure to check the current Polynesian Recreation Calendar for updated times/dates when making plans to participate.
