Lei (garland) dancer who dared to give a lei to a US soldier along with a kiss, leading it to become a tradition of lei distribution in modern times. To this day, leis remain a notable aspect of Hawaiian culture. Traditionalists give a lei by bowing slightly and raising it above the heart, allowing the recipient to take it, as raising the hands above another's head, or touching the face or head, is considered disrespectful. By tradition, only open lei are given to a pregnant or nursing woman. If due to allergies or other reasons a person cannot wear a lei which
Lei Day includes the sharing of lei crafting techniques by Islanders. Also, there are many lectures given by Islanders about the symbolism and cultural meaning of the Hawaiian lei. For example, Islanders demonstrate that a lei that is received in a certain manner translates into a particular meaning: a greeting, a fare-well, a marriage, a celebration, etc. The color of the lei, also, represents certain translations; different leis should be worn for different occasions. There are also lectures about the history of Hawaiian Lei Day and of the lei. Honolulu, also, holds a Hawaiian Lei Day Queen pageant and many lei crafting