May Day is Lei Day
The origins of May Day celebrations can be traced back to ancient rituals mainly in European countries. People wove floral garlands, danced around a May Pole and sang and enjoyed the festivities celebrating the arrival of Spring. I distinctly remember having to weave ribbons around the May Pole in elementary school.....I never quite knew what that was all about or how that blended with what we traditionally know as May Day festivities in Hawaii . For many centuries, Native Hawaiians have been making and giving lei as offerings and gifts. A tradition shared in many Polynesian cultures. I remember watching my grandmother stringing lei for a small local florist that used to be on Kuhio Avenue next to the old Kuhio Theaters (corner...