Leis & You

The history of the lei

The custom of making and giving leis was brought to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian voyagers, probably from Tahiti.  Leis were made of all sorts of items found in nature – flowers, shells, leaves, seeds, feathers and more. 

Traditionally they were worn by the ancient Hawaiians for aesthetic reasons and to distinguish themselves from others.  The maile vine lei is perhaps most significant as amongst its other uses it was used to signify a peace agreement between warring tribes.

As tourism reached Hawaii leis became the symbol of the islands to the world.   They are used to welcome all who come to the islands, they are used for greeting and farewelling people  and for all sorts of occasions including weddings, parties and funerals.  The most common ones are of plumeria (frangipani) flowers but all sorts are used including orchids and many heavily scented flowers.