In Hawaii, we know May Day to be an all month event. The reason for this is that each school celebrates their May Day or Ho'olaule'a on a different day so that all the families and friends get to witness the event. Kids spend months learning their song/dance to present it to everyone in a festive moment. Personally from a parent's point of view it is a time where you become the proudest to see their kids accomplishments.
Lei Day was created in 1928 by a writer and poet, Don Blanding, who wrote an article to the local paper suggesting that a holiday be created focusing on the Hawaiian custom of making and wearing of the lei. It was Grace Tower Warren who gave the idea of the holiday being set on May 1. She was also the one who came up with the saying "May Day is Lei Day." On this day, everyone is encouraged to wear a lei. Festivities are held with hula, music, lei making demonstrations and contests.
May 1, 1929 was the first official holiday for the territory. In Oahu, this celebration is held at the Queen Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. As a tradition, dozens of entries are placed in the Royal Mausoleum the next morning.
This year, it is the 88th annual celebration. The celebration is held at Queen Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. Each year the festival takes place with music, hula, lei making exhibits. Each island has a different way of celebrating this special day.
On Maui, celebrations are at the Bailey House Museum. There are free museum tours, arts and craft workshops, cultural demonstrations, food, and a lei contest.
On the Big Island, the Hilo Lei Day Festival is held at the Kalakaua Park. There is music, the Lei Day Queen, hula, food, and lei making demonstrations.
Kauai Museum celebrates with music, hula, cultural demonstrations, food, crafts, and a silent auction.
Lanai celebrates this occasion with entertainment from Lanai High School & Elementary school.
Molokai celebrates also with music, entertainment, lei making and exchanging, not to mention food.
I think that the best part of Lei Day is to see the kids across the state celebrating May Day with their presentations, along with the Hawaiian court, hula, entertainment, music, food, and the traditional lei making contest. It's a time for our keiki to learn a part of their culture thru hula, music, lei making, and food.
No matter which island you are on, Mayday is one of the first festive holidays that was celebrated. It is filled with ancient spirituality, and culture. It's also one of the only places where old Hawaii is combined with modern day Hawaii. Enjoy the festivities. "Happy May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii."
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