Hawaii’s Graduation Tradition

Graduation Season In Hawaii

Ceremonial gowns in a rainbow of colors, tears, well rehearsed verses of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and lei—lei piled up so high that it’s difficult to identify one graduate from another…and then there is the after graduation feast…these are the images of graduation island style. From preschool to college, graduation in Hawaii is one of our most deeply-rooted and beloved island traditions.

Beginning at the end of May and running through mid-June, Hawaii’s high schools, colleges and universities hold commencement exercises all across the State. On the mainland, college graduation is regarded as the most important of all graduations. However, this is not true in Hawaii. Here, it is the high school graduation that reigns in practice and in memory. Preparations for this event involve the entire family. The soon to be graduates participate in rehearsals, while family and friends plan and shop for the after graduation party and the perfect lei.

Each high school on every island has their own graduation traditions unique to their school. One of the oldest high schools in Hawaii is McKinley High School in Honolulu. Bleachers are set up in front of the main administration building where the ceremony takes place each year. The tree-lined main lawn welcomes family and friends, who congregate in groups near the trees emblazoned with large black and gold letters that indicate the initial of a graduate’s last name. After the formal ceremony, a type of controlled pandemonium ensues. Graduates walk to meet their families, sometimes tackled along the way by loved ones bearing all types of lei. On Oahu, other schools hold their graduation ceremonies at various locations on campus, at the Blaisdell Concert Hall or Aloha Stadium. On Kauai, graduation might be held at Vidinha Stadium, or on Maui, at the War Memorial Stadium.

So, what to give a graduate? The flower lei is the traditional gift. Favorites include maile, orchid and ti-leaf (believed to impart good luck to the recipient), but there are literally hundreds of lei to choose from in a myriad of different combinations. A gift of lei can also take on other forms as well. Money lei, which can either be purchased or more commonly made, can consist of coins wrapped up in colorful netting or paper bills often folded in the shape of a fan and strung together with ribbon color coordinated to match the graduate’s school colors. There is also candy lei and handmade ribbon lei that will outlast all other lei, making it a special keepsake gift. Often taking days to create, recipients of these ribbon lei should indeed consider themselves loved, if given this gift of aloha.

Whatever lei you give and whatever the school, here are some important links to ensure you don’t miss out on Hawaii’s 2009 graduation season:

2009 Graduation Dates, Times, Locations:

Hawaii Department of Education, Graduation List
Private School, Graduation List

Graduation Party Ideas:

The Willows
Natsunoya Tea House
Hee Hing Restaurant
Sam Choy’s Breakfast Lunch and Crab
Dave and Buster’s

What was special about your high school graduation? What are your graduation memories?

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