While in in New York City, I’m dreaming about my next destination, the Hawaiian island of Lanai.
One of the things that struck me on my last trip was the culture and industry around leis. A lei is basically any series of objects strung together with the intent to be worn.
This explains why I received not only the more typical flower leis but also some non-flower leis on my last visit. However, the most popular concept of a lei in Hawaiian culture is a wreath of flowers draped around the neck presented upon arriving or leaving as a symbol of affection. 
Leis are given for any important event in people’s lives.
Welcoming, birthdays, anniversaries, marriage, and births to name a few.
Since you receive leis upon arrival historically, that explains the fact that there are lei stands at the airport for locals to pick up their leis before picking up their guests.
They even had signs at the airport that pointed the way to the lei stands along with long term parking lots and rental car dropoffs.
Most are made by hand and the most common material is normally some sort of fresh flower. The fragrant plumeria was my favorite. As I walked around Honolulu I saw ladies string them together (kui) en mass getting ready for a big occasion no doubt.
My hosts Mark and Ron informed me that a lei should never be thrown away casually, or tossed into the trash. Traditionally they are be returned to the place they were gathered, or if that is not possible, they should be returned to the earth by hanging in a tree, burying, or burning. A lei represents love, and to throw one away represents throwing away the love of the giver. I chose to leave my many,many leis at a sacred place – a Heiau.
Hawaii is one of the few places I’ve been where I’ve felt so welcomed – and I”m pretty sure the leis had something to do with that!
Sherry Ott is a refugee from corporate IT who is now a long term traveler, blogger, and photographer. She’s a co-founder of Briefcasetobackpack.com, a website offering career break travel inspiration and advice.
Additionally, she runs an around the world travel blog writing about her travel and expat adventures at Ottsworld.com.com.
