Homecoming Lei Tradition

US Navy Homecoming Lei Tradition

In Hawaiian tradition, the lei is a meaningful gift presented to someone upon their arrival as a symbol of affection. It has been a long standing tradition for Navy Family Support Groups to present a homecoming lei to their Navy ship returning from deployment. After many months of hard work and sacrifice of sailors, the families often feel that it is their way of showing appreciation for a job well done.

Made from nautical rope, colored plastic bags and rubber bands, the homecoming lei often takes hundreds of hours to construct when using the traditional instructions. Many Family Support Groups often begin creating the homecoming lei shortly after the ship departs so that the red, white and blue lei will be ready to adorn the hull of the ship as it pulls into its homeport months later.

During a recent deployment, the Family Support Group for a San Diego LHD discovered a more efficient and cost effective way to create a Navy Ship Homecoming Lei. In an effort to save other organizations money and the sanity of their volunteers, they have decided to share their discovery.  

For step by step instructions and supply list please visit the Homecoming Lei Instruction page.