May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii
Aunty Amelia Bailey creating a beautiful haku lei. Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson.
“May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii Nei.” This popular phrase in the islands prevents anyone from forgetting this special day. It was Don Blanding, a writer and poet, who first suggested that a holiday should be dedicated to the beautiful Hawaiian tradition of making and wearing lei. But it was Grace Tower Warren, also a writer, who came up with the idea that the holiday should coincide with May Day. And so since the first Lei Day on May 1, 1928, Hawaii has continued the annual celebration to this very day.
Celebrate May Day on Oahu
Winning lei at the Annual May Day Lei Contest. Photo: Joel.
Oahu hosts the state’s largest May Day event. No matter which day of the week May 1 falls on, the Lei Day Celebration takes place at Queen Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. The annual event features live music, a stunning lei contest exhibit, hula performances, demonstrations, craft and food vendors, and more. This event is free and open to the public. To check out our photos from previous years’ celebrations, click here.
Left: Maile lei. Center: Ashley Gatto who is originally from Canada, making a haku lei at the Lei day festival. Right: Samples of base materials used for making haku lei. Photos courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson.
Each year, the Lei Queen and her court preside over the festivities. Lei Queen are selected based on their lei making skills, hula proficiency, and Hawaiian language fluency. Expect to see the most beautiful lei in the world at the annual Lei Day lei competition held and displayed at the park. Also expect excellent live music by some of Hawaii’s top performers. This year’s 93rd Annual Lei Day Celebration is from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Click here to view the 2020 lineup.
2015 Lei Day Queen Pomaikai Akiona (left) and Princess Whitney Miyahira (right). Photo courtesy of Pomaikai Akiona.
May Day on Waikiki Beach
Keiki (children) dancing hula at May Day Waikīkī. Photo: May Day Waikīkī.
A great May Day event is held right on Waikiki Beach, fronting The Royal Hawaiian and the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. May Day Waikiki, now in its 7th year, will take place on Friday, May 1, 2020, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with live Hawaiian music, free canoe rides and games. The event is free to the public and the @MayDayWaikiki Facebook page will be broadcasting live on the day of the event.
Celebrate May Day on Maui
The Lei Day Heritage Festival is a free event at Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House (formerly The Bailey House Museum) at 2375A Main St., Wailuku on May 1. Highlights include live music, entertainment and a lei contest. Food is available for purchase.
May Day on Hawaii Island
On the Big Island of Hawaii, the annual Lei Day Festival is held in Hilo at the Kalakaua Park, 150 Kalakaua St., Hilo. The free event includes lei-making demonstrations at this historic site nestled within downtown Hilo. For updates visit Hilo May Day Festival on Facebook.
Celebrate May Day on Kauai
On Kauai, the historic 40th Annual Lei Day Festival returns to the Kauai Marriott on May 1. Enter your lei into the contest, learn to make a lei, or win a lei to take home. There will also be food vendors and live music.
