Oh no! I got lei'd wrong...

annasan_k

So I got lei'd incorrectly while in Maui last week!  At lunch, the Hawaii tourist board was hosting some sort of event in front of the building I work at today.  I got some free cookies, chocolate and a lei.  Before the lady put the lei on me, she said "oh, you're expecting!  we have to do this the traditional way then".  So she cuts the lei so it's open.  I never knew!  Did anyone else know this???  Sorry for the blurry pic - I took it in the work bathroom.

Mrs.HulaHunnie

The reason the lei is opened is because it signifies the piko(Umbilical cord). It is thought that if pregnant mommys wear a closed lei it will mean that the cord will wrap around the babies neck. Some women go as far as to not wear any neck jewlery during their pregnancy as well.

annasan_k

Wow!  That's kind of neat - thanks for letting me know the significance.  And, yumm, the smell of plumerias on a cloudy, cold, dark Seattle day has brightened my spirits.  I want to go back to Hawaii!  *wah*

kinibruin

oh that's really interesting! thanks for sharing that! i'm going to a luau type party tomorrow. i'll make sure they lei me right.

MauiWedding08

interesting!  and i'm jealous - of your trip to maui and your plumeria lei

inamra

That's cool, I never knew that! Hope you had a great trip

mrspresley

i never knew that either. i am super jealous about your trip

SanHawaii08

oops, then i got lei'd wrong last weekend too (for our baby shower)!  hope the babe's cord is okay when he's born  

myday1708

wow, i never knew that!