The leis, rooted in Hawaiian and Pacific Islander culture is very popular for graduations. They sell leis made of flowers, ribbons, candy and even money. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram ...

Utah is home of one of the largest Pacific Islander populations in the U.S., but some H.S. students are not allowed to wear leis to graduation.

But it's the colorful leis that may dazzle the most. The island's exquisite array of flowers, valued for their fragrances, are harvested by Hawaiians for the ancient tradition of lei making.

"Money leis are something you can carry with you and know that your family’s proud of you." Rico's first year, she just about broke even. Last year, she pulled in about $200 and expects to make ...

Although people of Polynesian descent traditionally wear leis, many people believe anyone may wear, give and receive leis if they do it respectfully, according to Hawaiian Island Weddings.

Lei makers from the Big Island, Oʻahu, Maui. Ortega started making lei around age 5 in her hula halau. She fondly recalls looking for wild plumeria on her drive to weekly performances at the ...

HONOLULU, Hawaii (Island News) -- May First is May Day, and here in Hawaii it is Lei Day. A unique tradition centered around the Hawaiian custom of giving and receiving threaded or wrapped flowers ...

In big cities with a large Pacific Islander presence, like New York, Portland, Oregon, and San Diego, many US-born Pacific Islanders as well as transplants are staying in touch with their culture ...

Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island. Kathy Butler shows off her entry that earned the Walter Pomroy Award during the Kauai Museum Lei Day Contest on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

While lei are believed to have originated with the Hawaiians, many Asian Pacific Islander and Oceanic cultures also practice their own lei-making, giving and receiving customs.