Lei Day very thin and even more fragile. This specific lei is often called the "Royal lei" because in the past it was worn by high chieftains. Lei Day is a celebration of Hawaiian culture, or the aloha spirit. People commonly celebrate by giving gifts of leis to one another. Schools also put on plays and elect a Lei Day court of Kings and Queens to represent the different islands. Each island has its own symbol that is composed of a color and a flower. Hawaii (the big island) is red, Maui is pink, Oahu is yellow, Molokai is green, Lanai is
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