Donations of holiday lei sought for graves

City officials are asking the public to donate lei that can be draped on veterans’ graves at Oahu’s National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific for Memorial Day observances.

Also, “Sew a Lei” events will be held today at Honolulu Hale, the Makua Alii Center, Waipahu District Park, Kailua District Park and the Kaneohe Senior Center.

Some 38,000 lei are needed for the graves at the National Memorial Cemetery at Punchbowl, where the 67th Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 8:30 a.m. Monday.

Lei donations may be dropped off today at designated city parks, all Oahu fire stations, Kapolei Hale and the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building next to Honolulu Hale. Fresh flower or ti leaf lei should measure between 20 and 24 inches before tying.

The two-hour sewing event at Honolulu Hale will get underway at 11 a.m. The Royal Hawaiian Band Glee Club and Lei Queen Carol Ana Makana Lani Yamada will provide entertainment from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Sew a Lei events at the other locations will begin at 9 a.m. and end when the flowers are gone. All lei-making supplies will be provided, but flower donations are encouraged.

Here’s a listing of today’s lei drop-off sites:

>> Designated city parks, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Ala Wai Community Park, Kailua District Park, Kaneohe District Park, Makiki District Park, Makua Alii Center, Waialua District Park, Waianae District Park, Waiau District Park, Waimanalo District Park and Waipahu District Park

>> All Oahu fire stations, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

>> Kapolei Hale (security desk, first floor), 1000 Uluohia St., 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

>> Fasi Municipal Building (parks permit section, first floor), 650 S. King St., 8 a.m. to noon.