As unique and diverse as our communities are in Hawaiʻi, so are some of our traditions on Memorial Day. One of the more distinct traditions is the placing of lei upon every gravesite within Punchbowl for Memorial Day. Every year the members of the community work together to make 38,000 lei for every servicemember laid to rest at the cemetery.
Along with this significant task, the City is hoping to assist the Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery in Kāne‘ohe with their Memorial Day ceremony by donating extra lei to help them adorn the graves of the 15,000 servicemembers laid to rest on those hallowed grounds.
To reach these remarkable goals, you are invited to donate lei (made of fresh flowers/ti leaf, measuring 20-22 inches untied, please tie), lei flowers (preferably plumeria or crown flower), Anthurium bouquets, or attend one of the lei-making opportunities below.
Hawaiian ti leaf lei stock photo by wingedwolf via iStock by Getty Images
Lei Sewing Sites 2024
Join Parks & Recreation staff in showing your appreciation for those who sacrificed for our country by helping to Sew Lei for Memorial Day! If you can’t volunteer your time, they also take flower donations, particularly plumeria. Feel free to drop-off your flower donations at any of the lei-sewing sites listed below.
- May 23, Kāne‘ohe Community & Senior Center, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- May 24, Ala Pu‘umalu Community Park, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- May 24, Booth District Park, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- May 24, Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- May 24, Honolulu Hale, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- May 24, Kailua District Park, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- May 24, Kalākaua District Park, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- May 24, Kapolei Hale, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- May 24, Kīlauea District Park, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- May 24, Makua Aliʻi Senior Center, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- May 24, McCully District Park, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.*
- May 24, Mililani District Park, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- May 24, Wahiawā Botanical Garden, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- May 24, Waiʻanae District Park, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- May 24, Waiau District Park, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- May 24, Wailupe Community Park, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.*
- May 24, Waimānalo District Park, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.,
- May 24, Bill Balfour Jr. Waipahū District Park, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
* until flowers run out
More info: Memorial Day (honolulu.gov)
multiple locations
