Happy Lei Day!

Happy Lei Day! Leis are everywhere on the island. The statues of old Hawaiian royalty all have fresh leis around their necks (put there by tourists, locals, who knows?). When you give a presentation at the University, you are first presented with a lei to wear during your talk. On your birthday, your coworkers and loved ones will sometimes give you leis. And, of course, when you arrive on the island your friends will put a lei around your neck and say, "Aloha".

The linked article above mentions the more subtle and spiritual side of leis. Each flower represents a different meaning, each lei maker concentrates on a spiritual and historical narrative while they are threading each flower in each lei. And you should see some of the amazing leis they make! Ben Franklin's, our local craft store, has a lei making guide and I think Lei Day may inspire me to try to make a few of my own. I'll let you know how they turn out!