Each year volunteers bring the materials, then string the lei that will decorate nearly 3,000 veterans graves for Memorial Day. The event is set for 9 a.m. to noon Friday on the front lawn of the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku. Courtesy of Kaunoa Senior Services

The Maui News

Residents are invited to participate in the county’s annual “Blossoms for the Brave,” which honors veterans with a community lei-making event, from 9 a.m. to noon Friday on the front lawn of the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku, according to a county announcement.

Presented by Kaunoa Senior Services, the county Department of Housing and Human Concerns and the Office of Mayor Michael Victorino, the free event will prepare lei for 2,920 graves at Maui Veterans Cemetery in Makawao.

A free shuttle service will be available from the Ichiro “Iron” Maehara Baseball Stadium parking lot. Buses will depart every half hour from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Two ways to get involved include: making lei at the free event and/or donating lei-making materials and pre-sewn lei (16 inches long before tying).

Materials include green ti leaves (cut and frozen), crown flowers, orchids, Bozu flowers, plumeria (buds and partially open), Bougainvillea flowers and leaves and other sturdy flowers. Loose flowers are also needed for the aerial drop on Memorial Day.

Drop off flowers, greenery and pre-sewn lei any time after 7 a.m. on the day of the event at the South High Street parking lot fronting the county building. Lei-making will begin at 9 a.m.

For information, call Kaunoa Senior Center at 270-7308.