Community participants sew lei to honor veterans at the 2013 “Blossoms for the Brave” event. CREDIT: County of Maui
By Staff Reports
(Maui) – The public is invited to participate in a community lei-making event on the front lawn of the County Building on Friday, May 23 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The free event, sponsored by Kaunoa Senior Services and the Office of the Mayor, is intended to gather the community to make a total of more than 2,500 lei. The lei will be placed on veterans’ graves at Makawao Veterans Cemetery on Memorial Day by Girl Scouts.
Ample parking and a free shuttle to the County Building will be available from the War Memorial Ichiro “Iron” Maehara Baseball Stadium parking lot every half-hour from 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon. Live music by Kevin Kanemoto & Friends will be featured, along with Emcee Kathy Collins.
Flower donations are requested; flowers and greenery may be dropped off between 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. on the day of the event, at the South High Street parking lot fronting the County Building. Examples of materials needed include: lei needles and crochet thread; green Ti leaves (cut and frozen); crown flowers; orchids; Bozu flowers; Plumeria (buds and partially open); Bougainvillea flowers and leaves; and other sturdy flowers.
Pre-sewn lei are also welcome; lei should be 16”-24” long before tying.
“It’s inspiring to see so many people from all walks of life come together to remember our veterans in this meaningful and beautiful way,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa. “Each lei represents our gratitude for their service, and for the many ways they helped shape the community we live in today.”
For more information, call Kaunoa Senior Center at 270-7308.
