05/02/2019
“May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii Nei.” This popular phrase in the islands prevents anyone from forgetting this special day. It was Don Blanding, a writer and poet, who first suggested that a holiday should be dedicated to the beautiful Hawaiian tradition of making and wearing lei. But it was Grace Tower Warren, also a writer, who came up with the idea that the holiday should coincide with May Day. And so since the first Lei Day on May 1, 1928, Hawaii has continued the annual celebration to this very day.
LEI ETIQUETTE
This beautiful tradition is not limited to gender or age and there need not be a specific occasion. It is even perfectly acceptable to purchase or make a lei for yourself. Many local people keep a nut, seed or shell lei on hand to wear on special occasions and hats are often adorned with flower, fern or feather leis.
Always accept a lei that is offered as this is a celebration affection. It is also considered rude to remove a lei from your neck in the presence of the person who gave it to you. The proper way to wear a lei is gently draped over the shoulders, hanging down both in front and in back.
