Article: Rooted in Hawai‘i: A Celebration of Culture Through Hula & Jewelry
Rooted in Hawai‘i: A Celebration of Culture Through Hula & Jewelry
At Leighton Lam Designs, our jewelry is more than an accessory, it’s a celebration of heritage, ʻohana, and the islands we call home. Just like hula, each piece we create tells a story.
This video of Lani, our mom, tutu, and the heart of our family business, dancing hula as a young girl is a beautiful reminder of where it all began.
Lani’s mother, Helen, affectionately called June after the month she was born, was a gifted hula dancer who performed for years as part of a select group at the iconic Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikīkī. She began dancing as a child, carrying on the traditions of Hawai‘i with grace and pride.
June passed that legacy on to Lani, who learned hula at her side, growing up surrounded by the rhythms, stories, and spirit of Hawaiian culture. That heritage lives on in Lani, her children, and grandchildren—and finds expression in our family business. It’s woven into our designs, our relationships with local stores, and the sense of aloha we hope to share with every piece of jewelry.
Pictured: June Arnold (Lani Lam's mom)
Why Hula Matters
Hula is more than a dance — it’s a sacred form of storytelling. It’s how Native Hawaiians preserve history, express emotion, and connect to ʻāina (land) and kūpuna (ancestors).
Passed down through generations, hula keeps the language, stories, and traditions of Hawai’i alive. Just like jewelry, it’s an expression of identity. It’s personal and meaningful.
Hawaiian Jewelry Rooted in Tradition
That same sense of hula storytelling inspires our jewelry. From hand-etched earrings shaped by native flora to ocean motifs that reflect our island roots, every piece is made with care and meaning. It’s our way of keeping tradition alive, just like hula.
We create each design as a connection, to place, to people, to memory. Thank you for letting us share a bit of Hawai‘i with you.