Lei Day Around the World
Lei, worn around the neck or head are as symbolic to the Native Hawaiian culture as is the art of hula. There are different styles of lei depending on the skill level of the craftsman, but with sincere effort and the proper instructions anyone can string a single row of plumeria or braid the leaves of the ti plant or even the highly coveted haku style which includes braiding of several different types of floral and foliage.
The origins of the celebration of Lei Day in Hawai’i began in 1927 and continues today, although its traditional interest have slowly declined and practices have become commercialized. In fact my last May Day celebration was in the third grade, canceled due to lack of interest. The following year we had a school version of the Olympics, “Field Day.” In retrospect, “lack of interest” meant the school teachers and administration didn’t have the time to teach us a cultural dance, and perhaps the cost of costumes and supplies were a bit of a financial burden on families – we had four children, sometimes more in my household.
I am unsure of the level of participation in schools today, but I do recall that by the time my brother was in 6th grade, he was the May Day King and my Nanny taught the Queen her dance.
This year, Mayor Mufi Hannemann has challenged the citizens of Honolulu to participate in an attempt at the Guinness Book of World Records for the Longest Lei. The goal is a minimum length of one mile, and while any length would set a record since one does not exist, Honolulu wants to make it difficult for anyone to challenge.
To present someone with a lei signifies true aloha, a sincere welcome or well-wishes on a departure; to celebrate an accomplishment; or even if the reason is simply “I love you.”
This year Lilinoe and I plan on participating in gifting of lei not only to partake in our home’s Lei Day, but because we were reminded by a friendly suggestion from my Twitter community members, BarbaraKB and Becky McCray author of Small Biz Survival. Barbara’s proposal is simple, get out and chat with your neighbors – reconnect with the real world. And, if you don’t have the resources for a lei, a basket of flowers convey true aloha as well.
Everyday we email, Twitter, UTTERZ, blog, instant message, Skype, send SMS text messages and even the archaic converse on the telephone; but when was the last time we connected with our neighbors? So, I encourage all of you to on May 1st to take Barbara’s suggestion and go chat with your neighbors, connect with your community or if you’re in Honolulu be part of history and set a world record for the longest lei!
And, remember to link it all back to your online community by using the tools we’ve become accustomed too. Barbara has gone the extra mile and has set-up a Flickr group. I look forward to my return to Lei Day, and am anxious to hear how you celebrated yours.
