Among the most well recognized traditions of Hawaii is that of lei giving. Early Polynesian voyagers from Tahiti introduced the tradition of lei giving to the Hawaiian Islands. Early lei were worn by ancient Hawaiians to beautify and distinguish themselves from others and were constructed of flowers, leaves, shells, nuts, feathers, and even bones and teeth of animals. In the early 1900s, lei vendors lined the pier of Aloha Tower to welcome visitors to the islands and kama`aina (locals) back home. It is said that visitors leaving the islands would throw their lei into the ocean as the ship passed Diamond Head with hopes that like the lei they would return to the islands. Today, lei can be worn by anyone (male and female) at anytime. Lei are a welcomed celebration of one person’s affection to another. As such, lei should always be accepted and are worn properly when gently draped over the shoulders hanging down in both the front and the back (note it is rude to remove your lei in front of the person who gave it to you). Lei giving and receiving is an experience that is unique to the islands – it can be done any day, for any reason and is a tradition for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and graduations.

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