The County of Maui announced on Apr. 14 that it is seeking donations of ti leaves and volunteers to help create 4,350 lei to honor every fallen veteran at the Maui Veterans Cemetery on Memorial Day.
The initiative aims to ensure that each veteran’s grave receives a handmade lei as a tribute during the annual commemoration. The county encourages community participation in both donating materials and assisting with lei making.
Ti leaves can be dropped off from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Kaunoa Senior Center located at 401 Alakapa Place in Spreckelsville. The center, which operates under the County of Maui Department of Human Concerns, will also offer ti leaf lei-making classes for individuals aged 55 and older on three Mondays—May 4, May 11, and May 18—from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
After each class session, there will be community lei-making open to all ages from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the Ti Leaf Lounge at Kaunoa Senior Center. Supplies for making leis will be provided by the organizers.
A drive-thru drop-off event for finished fresh flower and ti leaf leis is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 22, also at Kaunoa Senior Center. Those interested in registering for classes or seeking details about donating leis are encouraged to call (808) 270-7308, option three.
More information about Kaunoa Senior Services can be found at www.mauicounty.gov/254/Kaunoa-Senior-Services.
