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Celebrate Lei Day in HawaiiUSA's 50th State Festivities Reflect Tradition
Lei Day celebrates Hawaiian culture throughout the islands with lei-making competitions, traditional dances, chants, songs, handcrafts, food vendors and other activities.
On May 1, Lei Day is celebrated on all of the Hawaiian islands. A popular event with both residents and tourists, it’s one flower lovers won’t want to miss. HistoryThe celebration got its start in the late 1920s when an islander named Don Blanding decided that Hawaii ought to celebrate the lei on a special day each year. In 1929, Lei Day was made an official holiday and has continued annually except during the World War II years. The 2008 celebration will be the 81st. Festivities on OahuOn Oahu, the best place to capture the flavor of the day is at Queen Kapi’olani Park in Honolulu, where the main festivities take place each year. Since the park is in Waikiki, it’s within walking distance of many hotels. The Lei-Making CompetitionThis is the top competition of the year and entered by competitors from all over Hawaii. Although the top prize is only $500, you’ll see hundreds of lei displayed in the area between the bandstand and the Waikiki shell. They are divided into various categories, based on color and theme, as well as six lei making styles (most familiar to island visitors is the kui technique, with blossoms strung end-to-end). While a wide variety of materials other than flowers are often made into lei, only natural plant materials may be used in the Lei Day competition. All-Day EntertainmentThough the lei will be on display only from 1 until 5:30 p.m., arts and crafts booths as well as food vendors begin selling their wares at 9 a. m. The big on-stage attraction this year is a performance by the Brothers Cazimero in which Robert and Roland Cazimero, along with Robert’s hula halau perform contemporary Hawaiian music as well as traditional chants, dances and songs. Other entertainment throughout the day will be presented by ukulele and guitar players, singers and arious hula halau (schools where traditional Hawaiian dance is taught). A conch shell blower heralds the arrival of the Royal Court of Aloha Week, a month-long autumn festival, after which the Lei Day Queen and her court are crowned. Unlike queens and princesses at most fairs and festivals, the Lei Day court is composed of women ranging from college age to grandmothers. And whether they’re clothed in muumuus or evening gowns, the celebrations royalty are wearing both head and neck lei. Programs at schools and community centers as well as Oahu hotels and resorts will augment the Lei Day festivities. Aa special service at the historic Kawaiahao Church in the Capitol District of downtown Honolulu is also scheduled. Other Islands’ ObservanceSince the lei is a basic element of Hawaiian culture, you’ll find celebrations on all the other islands, too. In Lihue, hand crafts and food booths on the Kauai Museum lawn will be part of Kauai’s celebration. Downtown Hilo on the island of Hawaii will be the setting for lei-making competitions and a queen competition. Lei making will be demonstrated at the Old Dole Building in Lanai on May 3. Even if you don’t go to one of the island celebrations but are in Hawaii on May 1, you won’t look completely dressed unless you wear a lei. It won’t be hard to find one. They’re for sale at the Honolulu and other island airports and on Lei Day at any place where flowers are sold.
The copyright of the article Celebrate Lei Day in Hawaii in Hawaii Travel is owned by Connie Emerson. Permission to republish Celebrate Lei Day in Hawaii in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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