A lei is a Hawaiian garland or necklace made from flowers, leaves, shells, feathers, or other natural materials strung together. When you visit Hawaii, people might greet you by placing a lei around your neck as a sign of welcome, love, or celebration.

Leis are deeply meaningful in Hawaiian culture. They're given to honor guests, celebrate graduations, mark birthdays, or show affection. Making a lei takes patience and skill: you thread fresh flowers like plumeria or orchids onto string, one by one, creating a beautiful circle of blooms. The flowers are often fragrant, filling the air with their sweet scent.

While flower leis are most common, traditional Hawaiian leis can also be made from kukui nuts, ti leaves, or tiny shells. Some leis are simple and delicate, while others are thick and dramatic. The tradition of giving leis goes back centuries in Polynesian culture, and today it's become a symbol of the aloha spirit: warmth, friendship, and generosity.