Group that sent mile-long lei to Paris wants one for Orlando

A Maui group that organized the creation of a mile-long lei for Paris after last year’s terror attacks is asking Hawaii residents to share in a “Lei of Aloha for Orlando.”

After a gathering Monday at a Kihei beach for a sunset vigil mourning the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, Fla., that left 49 dead and more than 50 wounded, several individuals began asking about making another lei, said Patrick Mulligan, one of the organizers.

The group began planning Tuesday and are asking for volunteer lei-makers and donations of as many leaves and blossoms as possible to braid the 5,280-foot ti-leaf-and-orchid lei.

Their goal is to have the lei made in sections and delivered by a kumu and a local dignitary to Orlando in four days for a memorial there, although the date of a memorial was unknown to the group. It will be placed around the perimeter of the Pulse nightclub, where the shooting occurred, and shared around other areas of the city.

Joe Tolbe, representing the LGBT community, is spearheading the effort. Others in the group, including Stacey Moniz, Mulligan, Deidre Tegarden, Kawika Sabado and Sherry Austin, organized efforts for last year’s undertaking, which drew 200 volunteers.

“There would be 30 to 40 people each weaving a separate unit,” Mulligan said. “It was a pretty impressive sight.”

Kupuna will teach children and other volunteers how to make the lei.

Mulligan recalled how some people would come after work and do about 10 to 20 feet, then have to leave.

“You’re leaving part of your mana, part of your spirit, and the next person would take over,” he said.

Ron Ponzo, owner of Nalu’s Restaurant in Kihei, has again opened up his restaurant, and ti leaves can be delivered there.

“This is about community and unity,” Ponzo said.

Farmers have offered to donate flowers, and a large donation of ti leaves from Hawaii island was also promised, Mulligan said.

“The community’s coming together,” he added, citing businesses offering everything from coffee for volunteers to office space at Azeka Shopping Center to store the lei. “Everybody’s pitching in to some degree.”

The group started making the lei Wednesday, and will continue daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. until complete.

They hope an airline will offer free shipment of the 250-pound lei to Orlando, as did United Airlines to Paris.

Any monetary donations for air and ground transportation can be made through the Cynthia Rose Foundation, the nonprofit acting as the fiscal agent.