lei are more than meets the eye
Today, May 1st, is "May Day is Lei Day in Hawai'i", a celebration of the Hawaiian tradition of giving and receiving lei. The celebration dates back to 1927 when the idea was born. I absolutely love lei. Living in Arizona, I don't get "real" lei often unless I have it flown in from Hawai'i.
Did you know, lei are figuratively and literally more than flowers sewn on a thread? Lei are also made of seeds, feathers, shells, and in modern times, candy, snacks and, yes, even money. Back in 1927, Princess Helen Kawananakoa said "lei is more than a garland of flowers hastily bought and carelessly given. . . it should be made by the giver with much thought and consideration of color combination, fragrance and design."
And, as we begin celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month #aapiheritagemonth, it's important to understand that lei isn't just a flower greeting tourists receive upon arriving on the islands or at a luau. As Hawai'i Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka said of Lei Day back in 2001, "Indeed, its sole purpose is to engage in random acts of kindness and sharing, and to celebrate the Aloha spirit, that intangible, but palpable, essence which is best exemplified by the hospitality and inclusiveness exhibited by the Native Hawaiians -- Hawai'i's indigenous peoples -- to all people of goodwill." I couldn't have said it better myself.
In fact, another reason Lei Day was "approved" by Princess Kawananakoa back in 1927 was to bring the kama'ainas (roughly translated in Hawaiian to the native people) together. Back then, the kama'ainas had withdrawn from public events upon the arrival of foreigners and their foreign customs. I can't help but think this Lei Day 2022 is reminiscent of the original intent because we are finally (crossing my fingers) coming out of the pandemic. Hawai'i has lifted restrictions and meeting and celebrating in person again. The original Lei Day, like today's Lei Day, was a celebration of the 'good old days'.
If you've ever been to the islands and received, given or seen lei, remember that it is more than a garland. It represents the Aloha spirit which is difficult to explain in a few words, but you feel it, know it and love it. Most important, as we all reenter the world from our COVID-induced solitude, lei represents the genuine kindness and inclusive spirit of Pacific Islanders who welcome everyone to their islands. #aapi #aapiheritagemonth #aapimonth #inclusion #inclusionmatters #hawaii #diversitymatters
