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Column: Weaving Guam’s unique native flowers into graduation leis

Column: Weaving Guam’s unique native flowers into graduation leis

Column: Weaving Guam’s unique native flowers into graduation leis


5/21/2021

By Else Demeulenaere
For the Pacific Daily News

Graduation is around the corner. As we celebrate this milestone, family and friends present a lei to their graduate to show their pride, respect and love, and to commemorate their accomplishments. Traditionally, the leis used during ceremonial traditions are made of sustainable renewable plant resources, rooted in the island culture. Throughout the Micronesian islands, the styles differ, as well as the plants used in the leis.

Unfortunately, more and more plastic products creep into the graduation leis. Plastic-wrapped candy is woven together in another layer of plastic. Plastic flower leis are also gaining popularity. These single-use plastics end up in our landfill, break down into microplastics, and end up in our groundwater and oceans. Microplastics are ingested by fish, affecting the health of our marine ecosystems and our human health as they seep into our aquifer and seafood. To protect this valuable resource for our children, we should avoid single-use plastics.

Read the full article in the Pacific Daily News (May 8, 2021)

Else Demeulenaere
Else Demeulenaere
Else Demeulenaere is the associate director for UOG’s Center for Island Sustainability and a candidate for a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Guam. She writes a Saturday column in the Pacific Daily News appearing in the Lifestyle section. She may be reached at (671) 735-2918 or else@uog.edu.