Lei giving is one of the most beautiful Hawaiian customs. At a wedding ceremony, it is a local custom for the bride and groom to exchange leis at the end of their vows. The bride gives a maile lei to the groom and the groom gives beautiful strands of pikake to his bride. The Maile lei is the most traditional wedding lei, as it was used by the Kahuna in old Hawaii to bind the hands of the bride and groom, symbolizing their sacred union.

Leis are sometimes presented to family members and guests as away of saying Thank You. When giving a lei in Hawaii it is traditional to accompany the gift with a kiss which represents love, a wish of luck or Aloha.