Girl Scouts seek volunteers, donations for 13th annual Lei of Aloha event

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Girl Scouts of Hawaii is asking the community to help honor veterans ahead of Memorial Day.

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The organization is seeking volunteers and flower donations for its 13th annual Lei of Aloha event, which pays tribute to more than 10,000 veterans buried at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe.

The event will take place on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Windward Mall. Veterans are encouraged to attend in uniform and share their stories.

Organizers are asking volunteers to bring lei-making needles and flowers. Donations of premade lei and loose flowers will also be accepted to help ensure every headstone receives a lei.

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Suggested flowers include plumeria, bougainvillea, stephanotis and crown flower, along with tropical flowers such as torch ginger and heliconia.

The following morning, Girl Scout troops will place American flags and handmade lei on veterans’ graves in honor of their service and sacrifice.

Lei of Aloha was founded in 2013 as a Gold Award project by former Girl Scout Marissa Lum and has since grown into a large community event.

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