Let Us Have Lei(s)

Why Are Money Lei(s) Prohibited?

I attended a High School graduation for my partner's siblings recently (May 26, 2022), they graduated in the same building and from the same school as I did. After previous years they implemented a rule of not allowing lei(s) with money on them. The news baffled me, a tradition that is done for every graduation in our culture wasn't allowed? I contemplated what could've happened to make them enforce the attire code so strictly.

"The money shows your class, and not everyone has money for this kind of graduation accessory, so no one will be allowed to wear them." - I hear a staff member say to a student

I was allowed to wear mine in 2017, as were all of my peers: regardless of class, ethnicity, or amount of money on them. My little brother was able to wear his in 2020 through the pandemic at the same school, same graduation. Yet these two in the class of 2022 at this same school had to take off their lei(s) and give them to me to hold until after the commencement...

What's a Lei?

Leis are necklaces made of ribbons, flowers, candy, and/or money. Lei(s) are a tradition in celebrations of success, new beginnings, special events, and even graduations.

It originates from the Pacific Islander tradition as you see flower lei(s) being given to visitors and tourists to the islands. It then took off in California, one of the states most known for its Asian & Asian American population.

These lays are handmade and given as gifts: They only hold our love and encouragement to their wearer on their special day.

Buy or Make?

"I don't think that haole people [non-Hawaiian people, usually white] understand just how important lei culture is at all. I believe that the process of creating money lei is incredibly important, a huge part of what makes them special. Most haole lei-givers on the mainland probably buy lei on Etsy or something." -Lee, Refinery29

I will admit, it is more appreciated and right to purchase a lei from Pacific Islanders, they are the group who created this tradition. It is more ethically right to buy from them if you are purchasing to gift them, but making them yourself is okay too. The heartfelt meaning to leis is what needs to be met, we have crisp bills or the freshest flowers to show our best intentions in your endeavors. The leis are created with our hearts to make sure the receiver sees our love for them.

My sister and Auntie(s) gifted me my leis in Highschool and all were handmade, delivered to me by them, or sent off to reach me by my ceremony. Each design is different to show a contrast but not a single one isn't made without good intentions and love. Keep in mind we are Laotian, and I in no way want to say we own this tradition. We as an AAPI family are responsible to direct attention back to our Polynesian and Hawaiian communities who are the holders of the origin of lei(s). We need to be just as upset that due to mass popularity and culture spread that these traditional Lei(s) are being prohibited due to misinterpretation of their meaning and significance.

Similar arrangements like garlands and open hanging lei(s) came into fashion, giving us more variations of styles to wear and honing one type to specific occasions.

Below are Thai Garlands worn for Laos/Thai/Cambodian New Year:

While funds and investments change quality, here is a difference between a flower lei for an Anniversary for a married couple in Elgin, IL, and a flower lei purchased for charity to the Laos Wat Temple in UT:

Things to Keep in Mind about Money Lei(s)

"Money lei are incredibly intricate pieces of art, and their significance comes from the time put into their creation."
"The process of creating money lei is incredibly important, a huge part of what makes them special."
"Lei has a longstanding history that dates back thousands of years, and are much more than the necklace tourists receive when deplaning in Hawaii."
"Simply buying money lei, then, defeats the purpose of the gesture."
"If you are planning to use lei in your graduation ceremony or as a gift for your graduating senior, take the time to make a lei by hand, or at least purchase a lei from a Hawaiian or Polynesian seller to give back to the culture that so created this rich, meaningful tradition."

Why take away something of our Heritage, that can be passed down to the next generations?

The culture and heritage behind leis are not just for one group either. As a gift made for giving, if received by the ones with the right intentions, anyone is allowed a money lei. When the structure of a lei is altered it becomes something else of its own. While it may have been kept amongst AAPI families, it soon transcended into a more diverse audience. Leis can go to anyone!