National Lei Day

National Lei Day, observed on November 2, is a warm celebration of the lei—a beautiful garland traditionally associated with Hawaii and the wider Pacific. Made from flowers, leaves, shells, and other natural materials, leis are often given as heartfelt symbols of welcome, affection, friendship, honor, and celebration.

The day invites everyone to appreciate the artistry, cultural meaning, and generosity represented by a lei. People can mark National Lei Day by learning about the traditions behind different lei, creating one with fresh or locally sourced materials, or sharing a lei-inspired gesture of kindness with someone special.

National Lei Day, observed on **November 2**, celebrates the lei as one of the most recognizable symbols of Hawaiian culture and Pacific Island traditions. A lei is a garland traditionally made from flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, feathers, or other natural materials. Although leis are often associated with welcoming visitors, they also express affection, respect, congratulations, remembrance, and connection to place.

The history behind the observance is rooted in the long-standing importance of lei-making in Hawaiʻi and across Polynesia. In Hawaiian culture, creating and presenting a lei has traditionally been a meaningful social and ceremonial act rather than merely a decorative custom. Different materials, colors, fragrances, and methods of preparation can carry regional, familial, or symbolic significance. The practice also reflects close relationships with the natural environment, since many leis are made from locally available plants and other materials.

Over time, the lei became widely recognized beyond the Hawaiian Islands through travel, cultural exchange, tourism, music, dance, and popular imagery. Its use expanded from traditional ceremonies to graduations, weddings, festivals, memorials, and other milestones. This broader visibility helped establish the lei as an emblem of hospitality and celebration, while Hawaiian cultural practitioners and communities have continued to emphasize that it should be treated respectfully and understood in its cultural context.

National Lei Day on **November 2** provides an opportunity to learn about the history and artistry of lei-making and to appreciate the values the lei represents: generosity, welcome, love, honor, and continuity. The observance also encourages recognition of the living traditions behind the object, including the knowledge of gathering materials, arranging them skillfully, and presenting them in a way that reflects sincere feeling.