While in New York City for a month I’m dreaming about my next destination, the Hawaiian island of Lanai. One of the things that struck me on my last trip to Hawaii was the culture and industry around Leis. A lei is basically any series of objects strung together with the intent to be worn.
This explains why I received not only the more typical flower leis but also some non-flower leis on my last visit. However, the most popular concept of a lei in Hawaiian culture is a wreath of flowers draped around the neck presented upon arriving or leaving as a symbol of affection.
Discover Lanai – not your typical Hawaiian Island
Leis are given for any important event in people’s lives. Welcoming, birthdays, anniversaries, marriage, and births to name a few. Since you receive leis upon arrival historically, that explains the fact that there are lei stands at the airport for locals to pick up their leis before picking up their guests.
There even were signs at the airport that pointed the way to the lei stands along with long-term parking lots and rental car dropoffs.
Most are made by hand and the most common material is normally some sort of fresh flower. The fragrant plumeria was my favorite. As I walked around Honolulu I saw ladies string them together (kui) en mass getting ready for a big occasion no doubt.
My hosts Mark and Ron informed me that a lei should never be thrown away casually, or tossed into the trash. Traditionally they are to be returned to the place they were gathered, or if that is not possible, they should be returned to the earth by hanging in a tree, burying, or burning.
A lei represents love, and to throw one away represents throwing away the love of the giver. I chose to leave my many, many leis at a sacred place – a Heiau.
Hawaii is one of the few places I’ve been where I’ve felt so welcomed – and I”m pretty sure the leis had something to do with that! I look forward to arriving in Lanai as their final New Media Artist in Residence program!
By Ashley of Ashley Abroad October 16, 2012 - 10:10 am
What an interesting post… I had honestly never given leis much thought but there’s actually an interesting story behind them! I agree that plumeria is a great flower.
By Cheap Travel Blog October 27, 2012 - 3:11 am
Lei culture in Hawaii seems like very interesting. I myself would like to receive it upon my arrival. After receiving it, it must feel that I am more than welcome to be in that country.
By Laarni of Migration Expert November 14, 2012 - 9:30 pm
It is indeed an interesting topic to discussed about Leis and what it symbolizes when someone give you one.
By Roses Honolulu September 11, 2019 - 3:58 am
Admiring Post. Making a flower to a lots of designs. So happy seeing that. I wanna try so that i can learned like that so that i will make one and give it to my girlfriend as a anniversary gift. thanks for this wonderful idea. I learned a lot from this. Continue posting so that lots of people will admire and learn. have a nice day