Graduation Lei Article
Copyright © 2008
Graduation Lei Article by Peggy Hillen
Wave Shoppe
Apparel and Merchandising
San Diego California
Beautiful Hawaiian Leis have long been a part of
the culture and tradition of the Polynesian People. Exotic, colorful Leis were
made from island flowers, leaves and other natural items such as shells,
feathers, twigs intertwined. Surviving the passage of time Leis are still an
important part of Polynesian Culture, and many other cultures in society have
embraced the spirit of Aloha by continuing the tradition of wearing and giving
Leis.
In the US and many other countries, you can see
bright, pretty, Hawaiian Leis at luaus, parties, weddings, and the ever popular
backyard BBQs. A growing trend in the United States is the giving of Leis to
High School and College Graduates to wear with their cap and gowns to graduation
ceremonies. Does the average High School or College parent know about this new
tradition? Am I the only parent in the dark? My one and only daughter graduated
from high school this year and upon arriving to her graduation was so surprised
to see a colorful myriad of Hawaiian Leis gracefully draping over the shoulders
of the graduates.
The graduation cap and gowns were black so the
leis stood out and added such visual beauty to the outfit. I found my daughter
and breathed a sigh of relief to see her wearing 2 leis that I later learned
were given to her by a family friend. Yep here I am co-owner of a company that
sells absolutely beautiful
Hawaiian Leis and I didn’t know anything about the
graduation lei tradition.
I was so grateful to my friend for giving my daughter the leis. My daughter came
up to me afterwards and asked why I didn’t bring her some leis she was expecting
lots of them from me and had even told her friends that her Mom would be
bringing lots of leis and that she would share them with the few students whose
parents didn’t realize that getting leis at graduation was a symbol of “future
luck”.
I decided there and then to reach out to other parents, aunts, uncles,
and family friends to be aware of this tradition and prepared for it. SO whether
you know someone who is graduating or attending a luau, party or backyard BBQ be
sure to buy a lei for them and give them a little piece of aloha and good luck
at the same time. Buy from WaveShoppe unless you want to make your own leis from
flowers-feathers etc.
Mahalo
Peggy
