Maui's mile-long lei -- a tribute to victims of Paris attacks -- arrives in City of Light

By Victoria Cuba

After five days of preparation, the mile-long lei from Maui has made its way to Paris.

United Airlines offered free shipping for the 250-pound ti-leaf and orchid lei and a ticket for Ron Panzo, one of the organizers of the project.

The lei was created in order to share aloha with the citizens that were affected by the Paris terror attack.

The lei was divided into eight sections – representing each of the Hawaiian Islands – and will be given to several memorial sites. At least one of the sections will be given to Hawaii students to present at the annual Conference of Youth in Paris.

Panzo, along with organizers Sherrie Austin and Tim Lara, are hoping to get in contact with Paris leaders, so that they can present a section of the lei to the "people of Paris."

"So still lot to be figured out but that's how it has been the whole time," said Lara. "We just keep pushing forward knowing that it will all work out."

Almost 200 volunteers participated in making the lei from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for two weekends. With all the contribution, the lei actually measured 60 yards longer than a mile. The extra lei will given as gifts to the surviving victims of the Paris terror attack.

For more information on the lei and its trip to Paris, visit www.leiforparis.com.

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