Annual “Blossoms for the Brave” Lei-Making Event Honors Veterans

By Maui Now Staff

The public is invited to participate in the latest edition of the county’s “Blossoms for the Brave” lei-making event in honor of veterans.  During the annual event, volunteers will string an estimated 2,700 lei that are then placed on the graves of veterans at the Makawao Veterans Cemetery on Memorial Day.

Volunteers are invited to meet on the front lawn of the County Building in Wailuku between 9 a.m and 1 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2015 for the community lei-making event.  A free shuttle service will be available, departing every half-hour from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on that day, at the War Memorial Ichiro “Iron” Maehara Baseball Stadium parking lot.

Live music by Kevin Kanemoto & Friends will be featured, along with Emcee Kathy Collins.

Flower donations are also requested and can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 1 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 in an event announcement. “As we sew leis together, we express our gratitude for their service, and for the many ways these men and women helped shape the community we live in today.”

The event is sponsored by Kaunoa Senior Services, the Department of Housing and Human Concerns and the Office of Mayor Alan Arakawa.

Blossoms for the Brave (5.23.2014). File photo courtesy County of Maui.

Blossoms for the Brave (5.23.2014). File photo courtesy County of Maui.

Blossoms for the Brave (5.23.2014). File photo courtesy County of Maui.

“Blossoms for the Brave” (5.24.2013) File photo courtesy County of Maui.

“Blossoms for the Brave” (5.24.2013) File photo courtesy County of Maui.

“Blossoms for the Brave” (5.24.2013) File photo courtesy County of Maui.

“Blossoms for the Brave” (5.24.2013) File photo courtesy County of Maui.

“Blossoms for the Brave” – Mayor Arakawa and wife Ann learning how to make a Ti leaf lei (5.24.2013) File photo courtesy County of Maui.

“Blossoms for the Brave” (5.24.2013) File photo courtesy County of Maui.

“Blossoms for the Brave” (5.24.2013) File photo courtesy County of Maui.