Flowers, Leis Needed For Veterans’ Graveside Honors

Kaneohe Girl Scouts are counting on Windward blossoms to help them create a Lei of Aloha for Memorial Day weekend at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.

Donations of fresh flowers will be welcome from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 23 at Windward Mall center court, where the girls will sew leis to ensure that each of the more than 9,000 veterans’ graves at the Kaneohe cemetery will have a symbol of remembrance the next day.

“With our community’s generosity,” said Girl Scouts of Hawaii CEO Shari Chang, “our Scouts will be able to honor the memories of those who have protected the rights and freedom of our nation.”

Suggested are blossoms of plumeria, bougainvillea, stephanotis and crown flowers, or stalks of hardy tropicals. Ribbons also are welcome. Residents can sew leis themselves, and veterans are invited to join the group in uniform and share stories with the Scouts, volunteers and shoppers.

Lei of Aloha began two years ago as the Girl Scout Gold project of Castle High student Melissa Lum. It now has evolved into the Kaneohe Service Unit’s pet project and new tradition, according to Lum’s mother, Ailyn. For more information, call 226-1228.