The lei are a long standing tradition in Hawaiian culture. The history of the Lei stems back to the early Polynesian travelers. These explorers went on a journey that started from Tahiti, sailing by starts and canoes. It was these settlers that started the first tradition of the Lei.
In their traditions, the lei’s were worn by ancient Hawaiians to help distinguish them from others, as sort of a way of beautifying themselves. The maile Lei was used in peace treaties between two chiefs of opposing tribes. The custom green vines were intertwined to represent the peace between them.
In the early 1900s there were the “Boat Days”, during these times lei vendors often amassed to the piers at the Aloha Tower to welcome the visitors to the island and also the locals who were returning. Its said that the visitors who were leaving would toss their leis into the sea in the hopes that they would someday return to the island.
Now the lei is seen as good luck and given to those who come to the island. It has become an extremely well known and popular greeting and has turned into a tourism experience.
Anyone is allowed to wear a Lei, it is welcome to all. But there are a few unspoken rules of lei etiquette. One is that for your first trip to Hawaii, you should not receive a Lei. They are more for those who are “returning” to the island. It’s a welcome back rather then a first time welcoming. Also, never refuse a lei as it is quite a compliment to receive one, and you never want to remove the lei in front of the one who gave it to you.
In Hawaii, giving a lei has become a part of many of the traditions and celebrations. Often on special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or graduations, the person of celebration may receive many leis from everyone attending. So you may end up covered in lei!
Just remember Lei is a warm and welcoming tradition. Even today they do not think of it as a tourism gimmick but an honest welcoming and good fortune to the one who it is given.