Hafa adai!
When is graduation season in your country? In Guam, it’s from late May to early June. Until just recently, you could hear news of graduations for elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as community college and university graduates, all across the island.
One thing that’s essential for adding a festive touch to graduates is the lei. “Lei” is a Hawaiian word meaning “garland” or “necklace,” and it is traditionally given to express welcome, gratitude, respect, celebration, or affection. The same custom holds true in Guam—during graduation ceremonies, students proudly wear multiple leis around their necks while posing for memorable photos.
There are many different kinds of leis. This one, made of plastic, is colorful and tropical in style. These affordable leis are popular not just during graduation season, but for all kinds of festive occasions.
Leis made with wrapped candies are especially popular among elementary and middle school students. They’re easy to make, so many moms enjoy crafting them at home.
For high school and college graduates, money leis are by far the most popular. These leis are made using real currency. If you buy one, the total price includes the value of the bills, materials, and labor—so they can be a bit pricey. Still, if you know how to make them, they’re actually pretty simple, just a bit time-consuming. One of the perks of making them yourself is that you can choose the denominations—$1, $10, or splurge with $50 or even $100 bills!
On the day of the ceremony, you’ll find many vendors selling leis near the venue. Among them are beautiful flower leis made with tropical blossoms like orchids and plumerias, as well as leaf leis made with vibrant green foliage.
With these beautiful leis and heartfelt congratulations, Guam’s children and students are ready to take their next steps this summer!