Lei-Making (On-site Drop-in Program)

E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center and Hawai‘i State Society of Washington, D.C.
Each June, in honor of Kamehameha Day, the local Hawaiian community crafts beautiful lei using plant materials sourced from the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. During this drop-in program at the Garden’s Conservatory, learn about Hawaiian culture and try your hand at lei-making. Then watch as members of the Hawai’i State Society of Washington D.C. prepare lei for the ceremonial draping at the U.S. Capitol, when the lei will be respectfully presented and draped over the statues of Saint Damien and King Kamehameha. In the days following the private ceremony, U.S. Capitol visitors can admire these symbolic offerings.

Please note: This is a drop-in experience and will be on-going over the course of the designated program time.

E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center

E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center (EHCC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Hawaiian cultural organization formed to preserve and perpetuate the vibrancy of the Native Hawaiian people and culture. The organization was founded with a shared vision and common values to he...(read more)

Hawai‘i State Society of Washington, D.C.

The Hawai'i State Society of Washington, D.C. (HSS), or Hui Mokuʻainā O Hawaiʻi Wakinekona, Mokuʻainā O Kolumepia in the Hawaiian language, serves as a bridge between Hawai'i and the Washington, D.C. community, and supports other organizations promoting the be...(read more)