Obviously the giving of the lei and the making of the lei has its roots in the culture of Hawaii. Though not a tradition unique to Hawaii as it has been a practice that was brought with the first Hawaiians traveling from the islands of the South Pacific, it would be fair to say that lei giving has been propagated by the islands of Hawaii more so than through any other population.
For the early Hawaiians leis would signify the specialty of an important event and were made of not only flowers but also seeds or shells as well. Two warring chiefs might present to each other a maile lei to recognize a return to peaceful ways much like the smoking of the peace pipe among American Indians. Not however restricted to such formal occasions, the giving of the leis to one another is appropriate for any special occasion and this custom was rich within the Hawaiian culture.
The Hawaiian Lei. The Gift of Aloha!
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Perhaps the ultimate symbol of Hawaiian culture known throughout the world is the Hawaiian flower lei. For decades Hawaiian visitors have been greeted at the airport with the gift of a flower lei placed ceremoniously around their neck and shoulders accompanied by a kiss. This true Hawaiian welcoming has become a ritual in the islands and even since the beginning days of tourism in Hawaii the lei stand, where you can purchase freshly made leis for special occasions, has been an iconic feature of the commercial landscape.