The Season of Graduation

Graduation season is upon us throughout the Hawaiian islands. From late May through mid- June, commencement exercises will take place all across the State. High School Graduation is especially significant to the Hawaiian culture and preparing for the big event is a family affair, which includes planning and shopping for the graduation after party -- and the perfect flower lei.

Hawaiians have a long standing tradition of giving leis to the graduates to celebrate their accomplishments. Oftentimes, the leis are piled up so high that it can be difficult to distinguish the graduates from each other. While there are hundreds of combinations to choose from, some favorite traditions include maile, orchid and ti-leaf (believed to impart good luck to the recipient).

In addition to a traditional flower lei, some families get creative with other types of leis. Some craft a “money lei“, made up of coins wrapped up in colorful netting or dollar bills folded in the shape of a fan and intertwined with color-coordinated ribbon to match the school colors. Other styles include “candy leis” or handmade ribbon leis, which make for long-lasting, graduation memento. If you are celebrating a graduation this year with a family member or special friend, be sure to recognize it with a commemorative lei.

Invitation for the graduation day.

Let me be frank; till date, I have not heard about graduation invitations. But when I received one from one of my ex-students, I realized what a proud moment for her it will be-the honors day.

Oh my God, how I wish I had known about graduation invitations 2 years ago when my son got his engineering degree? The graduation day-every youth’s most memorable day should be shared with parents, relatives, friends and past teachers.

When I showed the graduation invitation I received (see below) to my present students, there was a loud cheer and some talked about who they will invite on their graduation day.

Surprisingly, the next day, several of my students showed me their own hand drawn design of the future graduation day invitation.

They were childish alright but I appreciated the spirit.