The TOPS Malibu design office is based in Hawaii. When I arrived 10 years ago several people took me under their wing. I became a part of their Ohana (family) and they taught me about the Hawaiian way and what Aloha meant to them.

Aloha [Alo = presence, front, face] + [ha = breath] ‘The presence of (Divine) Breath.’ The breath of life. According to the kahunas (priests), living Aloha is sending and receiving a positive energy & living in harmony. Aloha means: Peace, hello, farewell, love, unity, sharing breath. The word expresses compassion & a wish for well being. Its deep meaning starts by teaching us to love & respect ourselves. When you live the Spirit of Aloha, you create positive feelings & thoughts that spread to others. 

Judy has always created products that have more depth than just a novelty. The Candy Lei is one of those items. Leis are often given when you are arrive or leave, or to celebrate an occasion.

I was told the best gift you could give is a lei; it shows how much your care for the other person.  I enjoy collecting flowers and stringing my own lei.  Most of all I enjoy giving them.  The way you give a lei is important as well. The person receiving the lei bows their head so the lei may be placed around their neck. It is customary to kiss the cheek of the recipient as you let go of the lei.

Graduation Candy Lei:

It’s May in Hawaii which means the plumeria are in bloom and children are busy practicing their school performances for May Day Celebrations. It is also the time of year for graduations. Many flowers are collected and carefully strung with love. Graduates in Hawaii are greeted by smiling faces of family and friends who adorn them with leis after they collect their diplomas. As graduates leave school they are given a lei to celebrate  beginning a new life chapter.

I concluded it is appears to be a contest of who gathers the most lei at graduation in Hawaii. The variety of flowers, candy, and styles of lei was boggling to me. Imagine the abundance of flowers collected to create lei for any of the events that are happening on Island in May. There are lei contests in the park.   - Courtney Puig, Staff Writer

The Candy Lei by TOPS Malibu is a thoughtful sweet treat for any graduate from College to Kindergarten.