Lei are an instantly recognizable symbol of Hawai`i. The wreaths of flowers and foliage worn by both men and women add fragrance and beauty to island life.
But lei are more than flowers sewn on a strand. There are lei of seeds, shells, feathers, and even words. A special song composed for a loved one can be a lei. But all of them are a tangible expression of aloha, and as such are given to show love, joy, or sympathy, and as greetings and farewells.
In fact, poetically, a child is called a lei, because the child is the weaving together of the love of his or her parents and ancestors.
In modern times, a lei is often given with a kiss. The story goes: During World War II, a hula dancer at one of the USO clubs was dared by her girlfriends to kiss a handsome young officer. She met the challenge by going up to him and giving him her lei, saying, "It is our custom to give a kiss with a lei." Thus a new "ancient" custom was born.
In ancient times, however, a lei was never placed over a person's head and given with a kiss - pleasant as that modern tradition is. To "na po`e kahiko", the people of olden times, the head was sacred. People did not put their hands or arms above another's head. A lei was carefully wrapped in a special container, often made of fresh ti leaves, and handed to the recipient. If the lei was for a very high ranking ali`i, then the lei would be handed to a retainer to give the ali`i.
Robert Elwes, an artist who visited the Hawaiian islands in 1849, wrote that Hawaiian women "delight in flowers, and wear wreaths on their heads in the most beautiful way."
In 1927, the poet Don Blanding had an idea for a festival to celebrate the lei. The idea became so popular that in 1929, Lei Day became an official holiday in the Hawaiian Islands. Today, while "May Day is Lei Day in Hawai`i," in addition to the original May 1 celebration, festivities are held on the weekends surrounding the date, and throughout the months of April and May.
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