THE HISTORY OF THE HAWAIIAN LEI

The tradition of lei-giving is one of the few ancient customs that has survived, if not flourished, in contemporary Hawaiian culture. The Hawaiian word for wreath or garland, a lei is worn around the neck and composed of flowers, leaves, and/or fragrant vines. Typically presented to guests upon arrival or departure, the Hawaiian Lei is a symbol of affection and in one simple object captures the Spirit of Aloha that is so quintessential to the islands of Hawaii.

Leis are found everywhere in Hawaii - parties, weddings, celebrations of all kinds. The custom of the lei was brought to Hawaii from the Polynesian islands where native flowers, shells, braided leaves, feathers, and stones etc. were given and worn as symbols of love and friendship. The garlands were often associated with various social markers of wealth, religion, royalty, and geography.

The tradition of the lei evolved during the "Boat Days" of the late 1800's. Before commercial airlines, visitors arrived in Hawaii by ship and were greeted with Aloha by hula dancers and music and presented with floral leis. Legends developed around the luck of the lei an it was told that if a departing traveler threw their lei into the sea and it floated back to the shore, it meant that the person would someday safely return to the islands. Hundreds of leis could be seen floating in the beautiful waters off of Diamond Head as a ship sailed away.

The lei was further cemented into Hawaiian tradition with the creation of an official "Lei Day" celebrated every May 1st since 1928. The poet Don Blanding developed the idea in 1927 and along with writer Grace Tower Warren developed the phrase "May Day is Lei Day". Ruth and Leonard "Red" Hawk memorialized the phrase in their Hawaiian song "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii" composed later that year. All citizens are encouraged to wear a lei on May Day which is marked by numerous festivities including school programs, parades, hula dancing  and music.

Today, the lei persists as an endearing symbol of Hawaii and the practice of weaving colorful and fragrant flowers is a true art form. The most commonly used flowers are orchids, plumerias, ?ohi'a lehua, and pikake and are often complimented with ti leaves, maile leaves, and ferns. Each of Hawaii's eight islands has its own special lei particular to the local environs ( Hawaii - Lehua, Oahu - Ilima, Maui - Lokelani, etc).

If you are visiting Hawaii please note these rules of etiquette around the lei. First, never refuse a lei when offered. If for some reason you are sensitive to flowers or allergic, it is considered acceptable to offer the lei to your spouse. But always graciously accept and allow it to be draped over your shoulders hanging down both in front and back - removing a lei is considered rude so discretion is paramount. There is one exception around pregnant women. Many Hawaiians consider it bad luck for an unborn child to have a lei closed around the neck of an expecting mother. Open-ended leis or head wreaths are acceptable alternatives.

A lei can really be worn for nearly any occasion…and even for no occasion at all other than to enjoy their beauty and fragrance and to celebrate Aloha.