Hawaiian Leis
Flowers — respect and customs
The Hawaiian lei is an international symbol of Hawaii and its culture of “Aloha”, celebrating love and fellowship in the gift of a floral wreath worn around the neck. But the types of flowers used, the customs surrounding the presentation of leis, and the respect implicit in giving them, are all part of the complex cultural significance of leis.
In this post, I’m sharing the Hawaiian lei with you in its cultural context, explaining its ceremonial intentions, cultural symbolism, and a little of its origin story. Let’s dive into the world of the lei!
From Tahiti with love
Tahiti is the probable source of the Hawaiian lei. Tahiti was known as “Otaheite” until 1767. Adopted by early settlers of Hawaii from Polynesia, the lei was diffused throughout the region by those who voyaged on the Pacific from Otaheite.
Throughout time, the lei has evolved to accommodate the changing cultural fortunes of the islands. Originally made from everything from shells to leaves, seeds, bones, and flowers, a variety of flora has always been used in the lei. Some of these are reserved for specific people and purposes.
For example, the maile lei was originally offered to kings and other dignitaries, exclusively. Open at the ends, this type of lei is composed solely of a native vanilla-scented vine that’s gathered in the wild. Today, the maile lei is worn by Hawaiian bridegrooms.
Western influence and kitsch
The “Hula Girl” in Western culture looms large as a distortion of Hawaiian tradition. Jiggling spasmodically on dashboards in a grass skirt and coconut bra, she is ubiquitous. But Hawaiian she is not, despite the tropical trappings.
Because the lens many of us view the Aloha State through is that of 1950s Tiki kitsch, our understanding of the Hawaiian lei’s ritual and cultural role in the life of the islands has been reframed by external cultural overlay. Let’s replace that overlay with the truth about the Hawaiian lei and the customs surrounding its presence in Hawaiian culture.
Flowers
It’s only in the modern era that lei have been made solely of flowers. As mentioned earlier, many different natural materials have been used to create lei over time. But today, the flower is favored for its beauty, scent, color, and aesthetic appeal. Some of these flowers have significance stemming directly from Hawaiian culture.
Plumeria
The plumeria flower is not only delicate and beautiful, its petals are touched by brilliant yellow and pink. You’ll know this fragrant flower as the frangipani. But in Hawaii, the plumeria has a special role in the preparation of grave sites, worn by family members preparing the final resting places of the dearly departed. Perhaps this factor is responsible for the flower’s association with new beginnings (the journey to the next stage of life) and the wonder of life and living. Plumeria flowers are also very often part of exuberant celebrations for other types of new beginnings, like graduations.
Pikake
This fragrant flower is also known as jasmine. Its evocative scent is reminiscent of the Far East, where it originates. Now a favorite flower for use in lei, the pikake is also deployed in traditional Hawaiian medicine.
First brought to the islands by Chinese immigrants in 1800, the pikake is especially favored for wedding celebrations and hula performances. Symbolizing love and seduction, the pikake is also given as a special gift to loved ones, not necessarily as a lei.
Pakalana
Native to Hawai’i, this flowering vine has been used in lei for generations. Growing in delicate clusters on long stems, ranging in color from light green-yellow to white, the pakalana has an intoxicatingly sweet fragrance.
Believed to have healing properties, the pakalana vine is prized as a gift of love, celebrating weddings, graduations, and birthdays. Best picked early in the morning when the tiny flowers are at their most scented, this floral vine is a beloved part of Hawaiian culture, also used in traditional medicine to treat stomach ailments and headaches.
These are only some of the most prominent of the lei flowers used in Hawaii but in modern times, many types of flowers have been employed.
Customs
The lei is offered as a sign of respect, to indicate membership in a group celebrating an occasion, and as a sign of loving fellowship. “Aloha” encompasses a great deal of meaning and much of that meaning concerns love and honor in community.
Everyone reading will be familiar with the tradition of offering a lei to a visitor. This is a tradition practiced in Hawaii since the earliest part of the 20th Century. To this day, visitors to the islands are offered a lei to celebrate their arrival.
Receiving a lei is an honor. Not accepting it is considered rude. Also, the lei is to be worn in the presence of the person who presented it to you until you part ways. Again, failing to do so would be considered an affront to your generous host.
A lei is to be ritually disposed of, in an accepted manner. When it’s time to do this, hang it from a tree branch in the vicinity of where you received it or give it to the ocean, unstringing the flowers and allowing them to float off with the tide.
The tradition of the lei is one of being accepted into a community or being part of a community. In essence, the Hawaiian lei is a symbol of deep belonging and honored acceptance. It is not to be taken lightly, despite its popular associations with external cultures.
Respect
There is no respect greater than to be accepted into a group foreign to you. It’s a sign of universal respect that the “other” should be so embraced and celebrated with a wealth of such local bounty as fragrant flowers. In this traditional use of the lei is great respect.
Coming down to the present day from the time of Hawaiian royalty, the lei brings all visitors to the royal table, honoring them with the respect that was for so long reserved only for those of royal lineage.
To be welcomed, honored, and respected just because you’re there is something that doesn’t happen very often. And so, the experience of receiving a lei is to be treasured.
