It’s May Day and every year, the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation hosts the annual Lei Day celebration.
Honoring Native Hawaiian culture and all things lei.
Nate Serota from the Department of Parks & Recreation told Wake Up 2Day audiences about the schedule of events on this historic day and the different activities you can enjoy.
Nearing one-hundred years of celebration, this tradition showcases the skill and artistry of Hawaiiʻs lei makers, while featuring fantastic local entertainment by the Royal Hawaiian Band, Ei Nei, Hōkū Zuttermeister, Ho’okena, performances from hula hālau, and local food, crafts and lei vendors.
The iconic lei contest exhibit showcases some of the world’s most exquisite handcrafted lei in a variety of materials, colors, and styles. Those wishing to enter their fresh flower lei for the contest must submit them between 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the lei receiving booth.
The public will have an opportunity to experience the exhibit from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. following the judging of the lei and the official opening of the exhibit by the lei court.
9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Royal Hawaiian Band
10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Kilohana hula show by Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement presented by Southwest Airlines
11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Lei court ceremony
1 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.
Ei Nei
1:50 p.m. – 2:25 p.m.
Hōkū Zuttermeister
2:50 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
Hoʻokena
3:40 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.
Mana Maoli Youth Collective
4:10 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Hālau Hula ʻo Hokulani
In addition, artists will perform hawaiian music, featuring the iconic sounds of the Hawaiian steel guitar, from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in the lei exhibit. Hawaiian artisans will share their talents and skills in the nearby Kūlana lei village. Vendors and event sponsors offering crafts, lei, and food will be available to the public throughout the celebration.
The closing ceremony for the annual Lei Day celebration is held on the morning of May 2 at Mauna ‘Ala (the royal mausoleum) at 9 a.m., and at Kawaiāha’o Church at approximately 10:15 a.m. During these events, lei from the lei contest are placed on the graves of Hawai’i’s ali’i (royalty). The public is also invited to attend these events.