Lei Day is a special holiday in Hawaii. It’s a time when traditions are celebrated and the best of Hawaii is on full display. Music and hula flows, hugs and smiles are freely shared, and the colors of Hawaii’s flowers dazzle in the sunlight. It is a day of aloha.
Hawaiians have been presenting people with floral necklaces for centuries as a way to say “Aloha” during different occasions. Great care was taken into making lei. Materials were gathered, prepared, and then fashioned into a necklace. As this was done, the mana (or spirit) of the creator of the lei was sewn or woven into it. Therefore, when giving a lei, it was seen as giving a part of one’s self. Likewise, when receiving a lei, it was viewed as receiving a part of the lei’s creator.
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It was in early 1927 when writer and Poet Laureate Don Blanding suggested setting aside a day to celebrate and recognize the unique custom of giving and receiving lei. While working at the Honolulu Star Bulletin, Don discussed the idea with columnist Grace Tower Warren. She enthusiastically embraced the idea and suggested that the day should be May Day and coined the phrase May Day is Lei Day. Inspired by their zeal, musicians Leonard “Red” and Ruth Hawk composed May Day is Lei Day in Hawai‘i. This song resonates throughout every Lei Day celebration in the State of Hawai’i. In 1929, Lei Day was made an official holiday in the territory, a tradition which was interrupted only during the years of World War II.
May Day festivities are held throughout the islands, from elementary school May Day programs and parades to grand celebrations featuring lei contests and more. Schools also elect a Lei Day court of Kings and Queens to represent the different islands. Each island has its own symbol that is composed of a color and a flower. Maui’s is the pink, sweet scented, and very fragile Lokelani Rose, Hawaii (the big island) is a red lehua, Oahu is the yellow ‘ilima, Molokai is green kukui, Lanai is orange kauna’oa, Kahoolawe is gray hinahina, Kauai is purple mokihana and Niihau is the white pupu shell, the only island without a plant as its symbol.
ALOHA & HAPPY LEI DAY!
Samantha Carbajal
Director, Maui Trade Dollar Association
PO BOX 212
Makawao, HI 96768
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