School Holidays 2013 - Hawaiian Leis

Among both locals and visitors, wearing Hawaii flower leis is more prevalent than ever, today. A member of Captain Cook's crew first recorded the custom of Hawaiians wearing flower garlands in 1779. Hawaiian leis are known the world over as the symbol of aloha.

An Ancient Polynesian Custom

Or ruling class, these leis were an emblem of the ali'i, often. And even teeth, beads, ivory, the original Hawaiians excelled in the creation of permanent leis constructed of feathers. Leis were worn by these original Hawaiians to beautify themselves and distinguish themselves from others. And settled in the islands initially introduced the lei custom to the Hawaiian Islands, early Polynesian voyagers who migrated to.

It was also used to signify a peace agreement between opposing chiefs. But it was especially associated with the worship of the gods of hula, and all occasions, all classes, because it was the lei of all people, the maile lei was probably the most significant.

A Modern Hawaiian Tradition

Hoping they would return to the islands again some day, departing visitors would throw their lei into the sea as their ship passed Diamond Head. Lei vendors lined the pier at Aloha Tower to welcome arriving visitors and locals returning home, during the "Boat Days" of the early 1900s. The lei quickly became the symbol of Hawaii to millions of visitors worldwide, with the 20th century advent of tourism to the islands.

Seed or shell lei on hand to wear on special occasions, it is common for locals to have a nut. It is not uncommon for a high school or college graduates to be seen wearing so many leis that they reach higher than the ears. The most popular occasions for lei giving are birthdays and graduations, for the residents of Hawaii.

Hawaii Flower Leis

Most visitors are only aware of the plumeria lei - a relative newcomer - widely available at airports and hotels, today. And remain traditional adornments for hula dancers, although maile leaves are extremely popular, and orchids, lehua blossoms, among the flowers used in modern Hawaiian leis are plumeria.

It is acceptable for one to purchase or make a lei for themselves. Hanging down both in front and in back, the proper way to wear a lei is gently draped over the shoulders. So it's considered bad form to refuse one, a lei is regarded as a celebration of one person's affection for another. Anytime - there need be no special occasion, anyone can wear one. There are very few rules when it comes to wearing Hawaiian lei.

Airport Lei Greeting

Creating a cottage industry of lei construction, it became customary to present flower leis to those arriving or departing all of the islands by air, . As tourism increased between Hawaii and the continental U.S. The airport lei greeting is now a standard experience in Hawaii.

Vendors are pre-arranged to distribute Hawaii flower leis and assistance to baggage claim or directions to connecting island flights. Visitors experience a traditional welcome to the Islands with authentic Hawaiian leis right at their airline arrival gate, these days.

Fresh flower leis at an extremely reasonable price, these vendors offer a Hawaiian-style reception with beautiful. Holding a welcome sign personalized with visitors' name on it, lihue and Hilo airports, kahului, a friendly lei greeter stands just outside arrival gates at the Honolulu International Airport.

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii

And exhibits and contests, lei making demonstrations, music, festivities were held downtown with hula. When a pair of local artists in Honolulu encouraged everyone to wear a lei, 1928, this Festival of the Lei was first held on May 1. As the rest of the world does, rather than May Day, may 1st is celebrated as Lei Day, in Hawaii.

Remains a state holiday in Hawaii with festivities and celebrations all centered around the Hawaiian lei, may 1st, lei Day. A tradition that continues to the present, lei Day was made an official holiday in the Territory of Hawaii, in 1929.