Hawaiian Culture: The Lei

A tradition of giving and carrying

When you close your eyes and think of Hawaii, what is the first thing that comes to mind? When I close my eyes and think of Hawaii, I immediately think of lush green hills, volcanoes and black sand beaches, tikis, hula dancers and open-minded people wearing leis and flower crowns. Hawaiian culture is not only rich and unique, but also known worldwide. In this article I would like to delve deep into the Pacific Island culture that inspires us so much, and explore the history and special meaning of the floral wreath, the Lei.

Fresh flowers, fresh spirit.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Hawaii, or are one of the lucky ones who have already visited this paradise, I am sure that you have seen at least one lei (a day). Lei garlands are even sold in supermarkets, as the PURELEI team discovered when they were there for a production.

Facts about the Lei:

We can all agree that leis are beautiful, but I promised you a deep dive, so here's what you need to know if you want to further understand - and respect - the extraordinary culture of Hawaii:

• The tradition was brought to Hawaii by early Polynesian sailors who settled there.
• Leis are used to celebrate many different occasions, symbolizing love at weddings, peace in groups, or hospitality when welcoming others. It's considered rude to refuse a lei - but who would? :)
• Every year on May 1st, Hawaii celebrates Lei Day. With the growth of tourism, the lei soon became Hawaii's national symbol.
• The Lei and the pure Aloha lifestyle inspired Alisa, Freddy and Etienne when they founded the company:

PURELEI stands for both a pure way of life and for the lei, the world-famous floral wreath of Hawaii.

Hawaiian terminology describing a lei:

A lei worn around the neck is called a Lei 'ä'ï, while the floral wreath, a lei worn on the head, is called a lei po'o. The term Haku Lei encompasses both lei styles as it refers to the traditional technique from which a lei is made.

I hope you enjoyed this quick glimpse into Hawaiian culture, and I would love it if you left a comment below with what you would like to know more about next time!

Sending you lots of love and aloha,

Lauri