Presenting a lei to a graduating student is a tradition that has spread from Hawai‘i to the West Coast and beyond. In Hawai‘i, they are made of many kinds of fragrant flowers, ti or spicy maile leaves, shells, seeds and nuts, feathers, dollar bills, or candy. And they might be piled up to the student’s chin depending on how many relatives attend the commencement.
The graduation lei here on the mainland is typically made of purple Dendrobium orchids and shipped in plastic boxes from far away.
Making your own lei cuts down on your carbon footprint. It’s easy and inexpensive, and adorning your loved one with flowers or foliage that represent your hood or home garden can be more meaningful than something that comes in a plastic box.