with nature's finery in Maui.
I arrived in beautiful Maui with my hubby Frank on a wind-swept sunny day. We were here to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I’d heard this island is one of the most romantic destinations in the world, and I wasn’t disappointed. Lush vegetation and fragrant flowers are plentiful, locals are friendly, and the food is fabulous. What’s not to love?
Heading out one evening, we were greeted at our destination with a gift of sweet-scented leis. Perhaps no icon symbolizes Hawaii more than this legendary garland of flowers. Beautifully crafted, each lei is a stunning work of art in itself.
I learned the custom of leis was introduced by early Polynesian voyagers who made the arduous journey in canoes from Tahiti, with only the stars as navigation. These early leis were constructed of items found in nature: flowers, shells, seeds, nuts, feathers, and even animal bones and teeth.
By the early 1900s, the custom was widespread, and leis were given to mark special occasions and important events in a person’s life. There are leis of grief, and leis of love, leis of marriage, of dying, and of birthing. There are leis for political, community, social, personal, farming, and religious ceremonies.
Leis were also given to travelers and soon became a symbol of welcome to the Hawaiian Islands. It’s said that if you toss your lei into the water upon departing and it floats back to shore, you are assured of returning.
I also learned there are a few rules of etiquette surrounding the wearing of leis. The gesture of giving a lei is an important celebration, and one should never refuse this gift. The proper way to wear a lei is to gently drape it over the shoulders, hanging down both the front and back. It also is considered rude to remove a lei from your neck in the presence of the person who presented it to you.
The leis we received were so stunning and wonderfully aromatic, we kept them for days. Just before our departure, we strode to some rocks by the shore and tossed our leis into the foaming ocean. We held our breath as the leis began to float out to sea, and then just as suddenly, both leis came crashing back to shore on the crest of wave.
Our return to magnificent Maui was assured!
Editor-in-chief, AAA Going Places
letters@aaagoingplaces.com