Traditional Hawaiian lei are used to celebrate special events and show appreciation and gratitude to family members and friends. Men and women can adorn themselves with the beautiful lei of the islands. Unfortunately, it has become a public misconception that only women get to enjoy these. However, there’s a wide selection of lei for men. If you’re wondering about the best occasions to wear these, here’s a guide to when it is appropriate for men to wear a lei in Hawaii.
Birthdays
Birthday celebrations are prime times for men to enjoy wearing Hawaiian lei. Guests at a birthday party will often receive lei as symbols of welcome and appreciation. Men who prefer not to wear flower lei can instead wear a maile lei or kukui nut lei.
Graduations
Another occasion at which men get the opportunity to wear lei is a graduation. On graduation day, many families in Hawaii bestow the graduate with one or more lei to symbolize their love, support, and pride for the individual and their accomplishments.
Weddings
Whether one is the groom or a guest at a wedding, it’s the perfect time for a man in Hawaii to wear a lei. Weddings are some of the most memorable celebrations someone will experience in their life, so adding lei to the event makes it all the more special. A groom will typically wear a lei made out of maile leaves or ti leaves. Tuberose flowers are also often incorporated into wedding lei, as they symbolize purity, peace, and love.
Funerals
One of the more somber times when a man can wear a lei in Hawaii is a funeral or memorial service. A memorial is a way to celebrate the life of a loved one and show respect and appreciation for everything they accomplished while they were here. Therefore, a lei is a perfect symbol of the love and respect you have for your lost loved one.
There are several occasions when people wear traditional Hawaiian lei to show love, respect, and celebration. Now that you know when it’s appropriate for men to wear a lei in Hawaii, you’ll be ready for any occasion.
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