More than a flower necklace
A lei is a symbol of affection, honor, celebration or welcome — traditionally made from flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, feathers or bone, not exclusively flowers. Giving and receiving lei carries real etiquette rooted in genuine meaning, not just decoration for a photo.
How to receive a lei correctly
- Never refuse a lei offered to you — it's considered a real breach of etiquette, since a lei represents a genuine gesture of welcome or honor.
- Don't remove a lei in front of the person who gave it to you, even if it's warm or uncomfortable; wait until you're away from them.
- Never throw a lei away — when a flower lei is finished, the traditional practice is to return it to the earth (draping it over a tree branch, or returning it to the ocean) rather than putting it in the trash.
May Day is Lei Day
May 1st is celebrated statewide as Lei Day, a tradition dating to 1927, with lei-making contests, festivals and the crowning of a Lei Day court in various communities. It's a genuine, still-celebrated holiday, not just a slogan — worth looking for local events if you're visiting around that date.
Common lei materials and what they signify
- Maile — a fragrant open-ended vine lei, traditionally worn (not closed into a loop) for significant ceremonial occasions like graduations and weddings.
- Pikake — small, intensely fragrant white jasmine, historically associated with Princess Kaʻiulani, who is said to have named the flower after her pet peacocks.
- Kukui nut — polished black or brown nut lei, traditionally associated with Molokaʻi and a symbol of enlightenment and protection.
- Ti leaf — believed in Hawaiian tradition to have protective properties; still commonly worn and given for that reason today, not just for its appearance.
Buying a lei as a visitor
Lei stands, particularly around Honolulu's Chinatown and near the airport, sell fresh lei made same-day — genuinely fresher and often better value than lei sold inside hotels or gift shops. A fresh flower lei typically lasts one to a few days depending on the flower; ask the vendor for care tips specific to what you're buying.