Take a trip to Hawaii and you will likely be greeted with a traditional flower lei (a garland of flowers worn around the neck) and a kiss on the cheek. (Remember when the “Brady Bunch” clan visited Hawaii and Greg got lei’d?) Take a trip to Hawaii on May 1st and you (and your fellow travel mates) won’t be the only ones donning the fragrant necklaces.
May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. If you happen to be in the state on May 1st, you’ll know it. Each May Day nearly the entire population of Hawaii gets decked out in their best aloha attire and puts on a lei—-everyone from school teachers to CEOs. May Day is a huge celebration in the “Aloha State” filled with colorful festivals and concerts.
Before I give you a run down of the annual events that take place (just in case you want to start planning for next year), allow me to provide you with a bit of history about the special day.
I was born and raised in Hawaii and participated in May Day festivities (participation is mandatory) throughout my childhood. In schools throughout the state students take the day off from studies to put on massive May Day programs (they extravagance puts Christmas pageants to shame). Each class performs an individual hula number followed by the introduction of the May Day king and queen and their fellow court members (one boy and one girl is chosen by classmates to represent each of the eight Hawaiian Islands).
These types of celebrations have been going on since poet and local newspaper writer Don Blanding created “Lei Day” in 1927. The idea behind the day was to celebrate and recognize the custom of giving and receiving lei. Blanding and fellow writer Grace Tower Warren decided the event should be celebrated on May 1st and they introduced the phrase “May Day is Lei Day”.
Since then May Day has been known as Lei Day in Hawaii and to commemorate the event visitors and residents are treated to a variety of colorful events.
In Waikiki the Hilton Hawaiian Village marks the occasion with “A Village May Day Celebration.” It takes place in the hotel’s main lobby and features the handiwork of more than a dozen crafters offering jewelry created from shells, pearls and semiprecious stones; Hawaiian art; children’s books; handmade crochet leis; decorative Hawaiian hair ornaments; and Tahitian clothing. The Hilton along with other major hotels on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island also offer lei displays on their properties.
If you are on Oahu and want to get your own lei head to Chinatown (located about 10 minutes from Waikiki). On May Day the streets of Oahu’s Chinatown are jam-packed with lei stands.
Throughout the state each county sponsors adult and children lei contests where you can see different types of leis displayed in a variety of colors. You can also partake in lei-making seminars and learn the different methods used to produce the delicate creations. My favorite is when you run across booths manned by children who are more than willing to showcase their own take on the art of lei making.
On Oahu, the culmination of the annual May Day festivities is held at the Waikiki Shell in Queen Kapiolani Park where local musical groups headline a concert in honor of “Lei Day.” Thousands of fans pack the park to watch hula, listen to Hawaiian music, and have a picnic dinner on the lawn. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and seating is limited.
If you are planning to travel to Hawaii during the month of May immerse yourself in the festivities and don’t be shy… put on your lei and participate in one of state’s most famous holidays!
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