Photo courtesy of Honolulu Star Advertiser.

Sew a Lei for Memorial Day
Hosted by the Department of Parks and Recreation

May 24, 2024

Honolulu Hale, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Kapolei Hale, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

For over seven decades the City and County of Honolulu has honored a solemn promise to adorn every grave at Pūowaina with a fresh lei for Memorial Day. This uniquely Hawaiian display of gratitude is our way of saying “mahalo” to our veterans for their service. Now we need your help to commemorate their sacrifice by helping us make and gather 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. 

Join our 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, we also take flower donations, particularly plumeria. Feel free to drop-off your flower donations at any of the lei-sewing sites listed below.

For more information and Lei Sewing Sites, visit the Department of Parks and Recreation website.