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Recently when I was visiting Oahu and staying in an absolutely wonderful Kailua Vacation Rental and still immersed in the wonderful fragrance of the plumeria lei I had been given at the airport, I decide I wanted to learn more about the Hawaiian lei, such a wonderful tradition that made me feel so welcome upon my arrival.

It turns out that in ancient Hawaii, respect and honor was bestowed upon someone by placing a Hawaiian lei upon their head and shoulders, which are considered sacred parts of the body.

Ancient Hawaiians utilized various materials for lei. These lei materials included ferns, flowers, seeds, vines, feathers, nuts,shells and even teeth. Lei were often made to pay tribute to the gods, and also to show reverence and give thanks.

Many introduced species began to be utilized for making lei after Western contact. The missionaries brought roses, and the Chinese brought pikake (Arabian jasmine) as well as pakalana (Chinese violet).

If you come to Oahu, then one of the most meaningful attractions you could possibly visit is the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. On my recent visit to the Hawaiian Islands, just as soon as I checked into my Oahu Hotel I headed out for a visit to this revered site.

The memorial honors those who died in the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, an event that entered the United States into World War II. 350 Japanese bomber planes attacked Pearl Harbor, killing 2,383 people and wounding another 1,178. The attack on Pearl Harbor also sunk eight huge American battleships, damaging 21 ships in all and destroying 347 planes.

The Arizona Memorial is 184 feet long and located directly over the wreck of the U.S.S. Arizona, the ship where 1,177 died and 900 remain entombed.