Lei (garland) spam musubi are tied into garlands. "Non-traditional" materials such as cloth ribbon, sequins, cellophane wrap, curling ribbon, and yarn are often used to fashion leis in various forms today. Among residents of Hawaii, the most popular occasions at which nā lei can be found are birthdays, graduations, weddings, funerals, retirement parties, and bridal showers. It is not uncommon for a high school or college graduate to be seen wearing so many nā lei that they reach his or her ears or higher. On May 1 each year, Hawaiians celebrate "Lei Day", first conceived in 1927 by poet Don Blanding. At
Maldives protest of international criticism of its records in relation to corruption and human rights. The name "Maldives" may derive from the Tamil words ' (garland / evening) and ' (island), or (', "Necklace Islands") in Sinhala. The Maldivian people are called "Dhivehin". The word ' (archaic ', related to Tamil , ') means "island", and "Dhives" ("Dhivehin") means "islanders" (i.e., Maldivians). The ancient Sri Lankan chronicle "Mahawamsa" refers to an island called "" ("Island of Women", ) in Pali, which is probably a mistranslation of the same Sanskrit word meaning "garland". Jan S Hogendorn, Grossman Professor of Economics, theorises that