Honolulu Needs 38,000 Lei by Memorial Day for Punchbowl Cemetery Tribute — Here’s How to Help
The clock is ticking for one of Honolulu’s most meaningful Memorial Day traditions, and organizers need the community’s help to make it happen.
The City and County of Honolulu is calling for 38,000 fresh-flower and ti-leaf lei to honor fallen service members at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. With drop-offs running just four days — Thursday, May 21 through Sunday, May 24 — volunteers are working overtime to meet the ambitious goal.
The annual lei tribute transforms the sacred grounds of Punchbowl into a sea of vibrant colors and fragrant blooms, with each handmade lei representing gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The tradition has become one of Oahu’s most cherished Memorial Day observances, drawing thousands of visitors to witness the moving display.
Where to Drop Off Lei
Lei collection points will be set up at several locations across Oahu to make donations as convenient as possible. The main drop-off site will be at Honolulu Hale downtown, with additional collection points at various community centers and parks throughout the island.
City officials emphasize that all lei must be made with fresh flowers and ti leaves — no artificial materials will be accepted for the ceremony. The lei will be placed on individual graves and memorials throughout the cemetery grounds on Memorial Day morning.
“Every single lei represents our community coming together to honor these heroes,” said Sarah Nakamura, coordinator for the memorial tribute program. “It’s not just about the flowers — it’s about the hands that made them and the hearts behind the gesture.”
A Family Tradition Spans Generations
For the Tanaka family of Kalihi, making lei for Punchbowl has become a three-generation tradition that starts weeks before Memorial Day. Grandmother Helen Tanaka, 78, began participating in the tribute 25 years ago after her husband, a Pearl Harbor survivor, passed away.
“We start picking our plumeria trees in April,” Helen explains from her backyard workshop, where colorful flowers dry on bamboo screens. “My daughters and granddaughters come over every weekend to help string. We usually make about 200 lei between all of us.”
The family’s contribution represents just a fraction of what’s needed, but Helen says the act of making lei together has become as important as the final product. Her granddaughter Malia, now 16, has been helping since she was old enough to hold a needle.
“It teaches the kids about service and remembering those who came before us,” Helen said. “When we place those lei on Memorial Day morning, my granddaughter understands she’s part of something bigger than herself.”
Community Groups Step Up
Local organizations across Oahu have already begun mobilizing their members for the lei-making push. The Filipino Community Center in Kalihi-Palama is hosting weekend lei-making workshops, while several churches in Windward Oahu have organized after-service crafting sessions.
Schools are also getting involved, with several elementary and middle schools on the island incorporating lei-making into their social studies curricula this month. Students learn about Memorial Day’s significance while contributing to the community effort.
The Hawaii State Teachers Association has encouraged its members to organize lei-making activities in their classrooms, turning the tribute into a hands-on history lesson about service and sacrifice.
Racing Against Time
With less than two weeks until the collection deadline, organizers acknowledge they’re behind their usual pace. The 38,000-lei goal represents one lei for each of the marked graves and memorial walls at Punchbowl, ensuring no service member goes unhonored on Memorial Day.
Past years have seen the community rally in the final days, with weekend lei-making marathons and last-minute donation drives helping organizers meet their ambitious targets. This year’s success will depend on similar community spirit and participation.
The Memorial Day ceremony at Punchbowl draws hundreds of military families, veterans, and community members each year. The sight of thousands of colorful lei adorning the white headstones creates one of the most powerful Memorial Day displays in the nation.
For Honolulu residents looking to participate, the message is simple: every lei counts, and there’s still time to contribute to this meaningful tribute. Whether it’s a single lei made at home or dozens crafted by a community group, each contribution helps ensure that come Memorial Day morning, Punchbowl will bloom with the community’s collective gratitude.
