Graduates celebrate, honor the tradition
Cal State Dominguez Hills graduate Christian Alvarado wore his colorful maile lei made of leaves — a gift from his girlfriend, mom and grandmother — as he walked across the stage at his school's May 20 commencement.
“We had to continue the tradition,” said Alvarado, who graduated with his bachelor's in business administration. “My grandfather is from Hawai'i too, so it's really meaningful.”
Ontario resident and Cal Poly Pomona graduate Adrianne Manapat wore her orchid lei, a money lei, and a fresh lei po'o crown during her graduation ceremony on May 22. The lei were meaningful gifts from family and close friends, and Manapat plans to preserve them — next to her new Bachelor's degree in organizational communication — for as long as she can.
“My best friend, who is originally from Hawaii, had the crown specially made and brought it all the way here from Las Vegas,” Manapat said. “I felt special; like she went through all the trouble and picked those flowers and colors just for me.”
Marketing graduate Teresa Lopez shared her excitement after walking across the stage at her graduation from Cal State Northridge on May 22. Her sister-in-law adorned her with a lei bearing Lopez's name, graduation year, and two origami butterflies made out of dollar bills that took her two hours to make.
Receiving the lei was more than a congratulatory gift, but “a symbol,” Lopez said, “meaning that people are proud of you.”
CSUN graduate Ancely Juarez was surprised with a handmade lei at her graduation. “It feels so meaningful to have something handmade worn around you at such a beautiful time.”
Andrea Neri received a lei from an aunt who she had been staying with during her time at CSUN studying emerging media production.
“It symbolizes all of the hard work I went through the past five years,” said Neri. “Finally, I'm doing this, and walking and showing off everything I've accomplished.”