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Hawaiian Flower Leis

Lei is the Hawaiian word for garland or wreath, they are most often made as Hawaiian flower leis and given to travelers and tourists upon arriving or leaving the islands. During World War II, the custom of giving a lei with a kiss was begun, but older traditionalists give a lei with a slight bow while holding it to their heart believing it to be disrespectful to touch the head.

Hawaiian flower leis are considered a gift of love. If they cannot be properly worn around the neck, due to allergies or other reasons, they must be displayed in a place of honor. Leis must also be disposed of properly; throwing a lei away is akin to throwing away the person who gave the leis love. The proper way to dispose of a lei is to return it to the place it was picked. If that is not possible, hanging it on a tree, burning it or any other way of returning it to nature are proper ways of disposal.

Hawaiian flower leis may be made of any number of items, from flowers to sea shells, bones or even paper. Paper leis are often strung with origami, or sometimes even money. Anything that can be strung and worn around the neck can be a lei. The most popular flower on Hawaiian leis is the Chinese hibiscus. It grows much faster than Hawaiian natives, and many Hawaiian plants are endangered or too rare to be picked.

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