Why You Should Always Throw Your Hawaiian Lei Back Into The Ocean

One of the most beautiful things about traveling is learning the local customs and traditions.   It doesn’t matter whether you go near or far, there’s always something that done differently.  Sometimes the reason is obvious, and sometimes it isn’t.

Many times there is a romantic tradition of leaving something behind that will somehow secure your later return.   A perfect example of this is the famous Trevi fountain in Rome.   The tradition is, throw a coin in the fountain and you will return to Rome.  And if you’ve ever been to Rome, odds you want to go back.   I know I do.  In fact, I threw about 30 coins in the Trevi Fountain.  I figured if one is good, 30 is better.

Plumeria Flowers On Oahu

Hawaiian Lei Tradition

In Hawaii there is a similar tradition.   I’d heard of the tradition in Rome, but not Hawaii.   I only found about this tradition by speaking with people who actually live there.   The tradition says that if you throw the flowers from your lei back into the ocean before you leave, you will return someday.   Well, I wasn’t about to pass up this opportunity.  Because much like my feelings about Rome, I definitely want to return to Hawaii!

I was a bit skeptical about the tradition at first.  When we went to Wakiki Beach I didn’t see anyone putting their leis back in the water or the flowers from the lei.  How could this be?    If this was the tradition that would secure your return why wasn’t anyone doing it at Turtle Beach, Wakiki Beach or Haleiwa Beach or any of the others we visited?

Despite my skepticism, I embraced the tradition.   So on my last day we traveled to a beautiful, more secluded beach, Kaena Point.  I wanted a much less commercialized beach to set my flowers free.  It was actually a beautiful moment of reflection.

Kaena Point, Oahu, Hawaii

I thought of all the spectacular things I had seen, the adventures and everything Aloha.  Whether the tradition is right or wrong, the feeling it gave me was indescribable.   Hawaii gives their visitors so much, it only felt right to give some of it back.

Kaena Point, Oahu, Hawaii

If you follow my posts or know me at all, you know I love to go the extra mile in every aspect of my life.  So I wanted to make sure I made my mark.  What if the ocean didn’t know whose flowers they were?  What if my flowers got mixed up with someone else’s?   So I wrote my name in the sand knowing the ocean would accept my name one grain of sand at a time until it was all gone.     I will never forget Hawaii, the beauty is beyond words.

Kaena Point, Oahu, Hawaii

Verifying the Tradition

When I got home I promptly embraced the power of google and found out this tradition is true!   In the 1900’s, the visitors who traveled by boat would throw their lei back into the ocean off the boat as the boat passed Diamond Head.   Their hope was that like the lei, they too would return to the island again someday.

So there you have it.  When you visit Hawaii, if you feel like you might ever want to return, then throw those lei and flowers back into the ocean.

Have you ever thrown the flowers from your lei back into the ocean?  Did it work?   Have you been back to Hawaii?   Let me know if it’s worked for you.   I’d love to hear from you!   Aloha!