Lei Day orange, Kahoolawe is gray, Kauai is purple, and Niihau is white. In the same order the flowers are lehua, lokelani, 'ilima, kukui, kauna'oa, hinahina, mokihana, and a pupu shell. Niihau is the only island without a plant as its symbol. Lei Day in Hawaii incorporates various ethnic traditions, other than their own. Throughout the history of the holiday, natives have struggled between preserving Hawaiian culture and integrating foreign traditions on the special day. This has brought tension to the day of celebration, but over the years has meshed into part of the festivities. Although many different ethnic groups such as
Lei (garland) of the decorative material. Sometimes base materials such as "hala", "lai", strands of raffia, or even strips of paper are used to make wrapping easier. Haku mele: to braid a song. A song composed out of affection for an individual is considered a "lei". "Lei" may be open or closed, depending on circumstance. These leis are traditionally constructed using natural foliage. Leis were originally worn by ancient Polynesians and some Asian people as part of custom. They were often used by Native Hawaiians to signify their ranks and royalty. They are also worn as a form of honor to each