STAR-BULLETIN / MAY 2005 Scouts from across the island come to place leis on headstones in preparation for Memorial Day services every year at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. This year, 50,000 fresh leis are needed May 23 to decorate the graves. Here, Scout Tyler Lum of Pack 664 in Mililani Mauka places a lei on one of thousands of headstones.

Fresh leis needed for Memorial Day

Boy Scouts will distribute the leis at each grave.

The graves will be decorated in time for the 59th annual Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. May 26, at the Punchbowl cemetery.

Leis can be dropped off at designated community parks and fire stations on Oahu, and the Parks Permit Office at the Fasi Municipal Building. All leis must be made of fresh flowers or ti leaves and must measure 20 to 24 inches before tying. All leis must be tied.

Floral sprays such as ti leaf and anthurium bouquets are also welcome.

Loose plumeria flowers can be dropped off on May 22 at Waipahu District Park, Kailua District Park and Makua Alii Senior Center at 1541 Kalakaua Ave.

Leis may be dropped off at the following Oahu locations May 23:

» Waianae, Waiau, Kailua, Hauula and Waialua district parks, between 9 a.m. and noon

» Ala Wai Community Park, Makua Alii Senior Center and Makiki, Waipahu and Kaneohe district parks between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

» Fire stations on Oahu between 6 and 11 a.m.

» The Department of Parks and Recreation Parks Permit Section, Fasi Municipal Building, 650 S. King St., between 8 a.m. and noon

For more information call 973-7264.