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 22, 2015 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The free event, sponsored by Kaunoa Senior Services, the Dept. of Housing and Human Concerns and the Office of Mayor Alan Arakawa, is intended to gather the community to make a total of more than 2,700 lei. The lei will be placed on veterans’ graves on Memorial Day at Maui Veterans Cemetery in Makawao.
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. – 1:30 p.m.; last return shuttle leaves the County Building at 1:30 p.m. 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 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on the day of the event, at the South High Street parking lot fronting the County Building. Examples of materials needed include: green Ti leaves (cut and frozen); crown flowers; orchids; Bozu flowers; Plumeria (buds and partially open); Bougainvillea flowers and leaves; other sturdy flowers; and lei needles and crochet thread.
Pre-sewn lei are also welcome; finished lei should be 16” long before tying.
“‘Blossoms for the Brave’ is a wonderful opportunity to meet up with old friends and neighbors as we remember our fallen heroes who gave their lives to serve our country,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa. “As we sew leis together, we express our gratitude for their service, and for the many ways these men and women helped shape