Search Activities
Featured
Promo Code
The Hawaiian Lei
He Makana Aloha: A Gift of Love
Delicate blossoms of every hue, redolent with fragrance, bound together to create a sweet necklace of perfumed beauty and color; lavender flowers of orchids, pink and yellow jasmine and aromatic ginger intertwined with vines of pungent maile...this is the Hawaiian lei. It is the ultimate symbol of ALOHA that reflects the spirit of Hawaii and is given as a gift of love, honor and respect to its recipient!
In Hawaiian culture, it is believed that the heads and shoulders are sacred parts of the body, and to adorn them with a lei is to bestow honor and respect to an individual. In ancient times Hawaiians made leis of flowers, ferns, nuts and shells, and enjoyed wearing them. Certain chiefs wore leis of woven human hair adorned with whale's tooth to signify their particular rank and many times wore them into battle.
Leis welcome visitors to our islands and also bid them a fond farewell. They are used in place of corsages for dates and proms, weddings, birthday celebrations and even given to honor certain dignitaries and political figures. When receiving a lei with a kiss and embrace, the giver shows an appreciation for the recipient...the custom of lei giving is shared; characteristic of the Hawaiians simply for their love of it. Historically, leis have always been a symbol of aloha for as long as the islands have been inhabited. Native Hawaiians have demonstrated these values so sincerely over the years that now the words, "aloha" and "lei" have become synonymous with Hawaii.
Prior to jet services, most visitors arrived and departed by steamship. "Boat Day" was a gala affair and the harbor docks were always crowded with friends, hula girls, musicians and lei sellers. It was a ritual for departing passengers to wait until their ships passed Diamond Head and then to throw a lei into the sea. If it drifted back to shore, it meant that one was assured of returning. Also, by throwing their leis toward shore, visitors felt they were returning a portion of aloha they received while visiting.
The Hawaiian lei: "He Makana Aloha"...a gift of love representing not only a celebration of sorts, but also a symbol of unconditional love, happiness and bliss.
