Star lei commemorating the Transit of Venus, 1875.

Paper Star Lei.—We have seen men, women, and children greatly engrossed in decorating their hats with this kind of lei. These are the names we have heard, “the hooulu lahui lei of Kalakaua,” “the Astronomer lei,” and “paper star lei.” [The rest of this article is difficult to read because it seems a piece of tape covers over some of it.]

Ka Lahui Hawaii, Buke I, Helu 1, Aoao 1. Ianuari 1, 1875.

Old residents may recall the white paper star lei that was in vogue here in the ’70s, commemorating the Transit of Venus of 1874. They were appropriately called Hoku (star), and were made of stiff, white paper, forming many points, to convey the idea of scintillation. They were fashionable for some time, for hair or hat decoration, and were known to foreigners as Venus leis. [Excerpt from “Lei Still Play Important Part in Life of Hawaii as They Have from Antiquity” by Albert Pierce Taylor.]

Honolulu Advertiser, 73rd Year, Number 15,154, Page 6. April 30, 1929.
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