Hawaiian Graduation Leis
A Beautiful Tradition for Your Big Day
Graduation is one of the most important milestones in life, marking the end of one chapter and the exciting beginning of another. Whether you’re graduating from high school, college, or any other program, it’s a time to celebrate hard work, achievement, and all the memories made along the way. One of the most beautiful and memorable traditions associated with graduation is the gifting and wearing of Hawaiian leis. These fragrant, vibrant symbols of success are a wonderful way to honor the graduate and add a meaningful touch to the ceremony.
What Is a Graduation Lei?
A graduation lei is a traditional gift that is given to the graduate on their commencement day. Leis are made from fresh flowers, leaves, shells, nuts, or even candy, and are known for their vibrant colors, pleasant scents, and rich cultural history. While leis are a significant symbol of Hawaiian culture, they have become popular nationwide as a way to celebrate graduation ceremonies.
Wearing a Hawaiian lei on graduation day can symbolize honor, achievement, and the bright future that lies ahead. The leis are often given by family members, friends, or classmates as a gesture of love and congratulations. Whether you opt for a traditional flower lei or a more modern creation, these beautiful accessories are the perfect way to celebrate graduation.
Types of Graduation Leis
There are a wide variety of lei available, each with its own unique look and meaning. Here are a few popular types:
Traditional Hawaiian Flower Leis
Made from fresh flowers like plumeria, orchid, tuberose, or pikake, these leis offer a tropical flair and a fragrant aroma. They are the perfect representation of Hawaii’s lush flora and are ideal for any graduate who loves the beauty of nature. A fragrant flower lei is definitely the most popular Hawaiian lei.
Ti Leaf & Maile Leis
Given for good luck, the traditional ti leaf lei is a wonderful choice for graduation, to wish the graduate well on their next journey. The Maile lei is Hawaii’s most sacred and special lei, given on very special occasions.
Money Leis
A fun and practical twist on the traditional lei, money leis are crafted using bills folded and strung together to create a lei. These are especially popular for high school and college graduations as they symbolize good luck, prosperity, and financial success in the next phase of life.
Kukui Nut & Shell Leis
The Kukui, or candlenut, is a symbol of the light within us, which makes a kukui nut lei a beautiful keepsake andreminder of this momentous occasion. Shell leis are a fun and tropical choice, connecting us to nature and grounding us in this present moment.
School Color Leis
Ribbon or kukui nut leis in custom colors are a fun way to honor the journey with school spirit and pride. You can honor the university they will be going to, or the school they’re graduating from, or both with a special lei in school colors for both institutions!
Why Choose a Hawaiian Graduation Lei?
There’s something truly special about receiving a Hawaiian graduation lei. It’s not just a gift, it’s a cultural tradition that carries deep meaning. The act of giving a lei is symbolic of giving from your heart. In Hawaiian culture, leis are a symbol of our connection to each other. They’re given as tokens of congratulations and goodwill, making them a perfect fit for a graduation ceremony.
Graduation Dates for Mainland Schools
Graduation day is right around the corner, and major universities across the mainland are gearing up for their big ceremonies. Here’s a list of some key graduation dates at popular schools:
- University of Southern California (USC): May 14-17, 2025
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): June 13-15, 2025
- University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley): May 17 2025
- University of Washington: June 14, 2025
- University of Texas at Austin: May 10, 2025
- Harvard University: May 29, 2025
- University of Michigan: May 2-3, 2025
- New York University (NYU): May 15, 2025
If you’re planning to attend one of these graduation ceremonies, you’ll definitely want to plan ahead and get your order in early. Most leis are made-to-order fresh and can take time to prepare and ship. Ordering ahead will ensure that you have your lei ready for the big day.
How and When to Wear Your Lei
Traditionally, graduation leis are given after the ceremony, although some students choose to wear them (if allowed by the school) as they walk up to receive their diploma. A haku lei around the graduation cap or a long fresh Maile or ti leaf lei draped down the gown, add a uniquely island style celebratory vibe to this monumental moment!
After the ceremony, it is tradition to load the graduate up to their eyes with all sorts of lei – candy lei, kukui lei, school color leis, and a variety of fresh flower leis.
You can also keep your lei as a beautiful keepsake after the ceremony. Many graduates choose to press their leis and preserve them in scrapbooks or display them as mementos. Some even preserve the flowers in resin to create lasting, tangible memories.
Where Can I Get a Graduation Lei?
Many florists across the country will order leis from Hawaii for you, and in some states like California there are often lei shops in your very own town. However they are limited to what they can make due to the fact that certain Hawaiian flowers simply aren’t available on the mainland. Therefore, if you want the most selection of traditional graduation leis found only in Hawaii, your best bet is to order them straight from the source. Many local lei shops in Hawaii will ship lei across the country, but it is highly recommended to go with a company that specializes in shipping to ensure that your lei order arrives fresh and on-time.