{"id":123135,"date":"2025-04-01T03:21:50","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T13:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaii.com\/?p=123135"},"modified":"2025-04-11T12:49:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T22:49:14","slug":"may-day-in-hawaii-a-celebration-of-aloha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaii.com\/may-day-in-hawaii-a-celebration-of-aloha\/","title":{"rendered":"May Day in Hawaii: A Celebration of Aloha"},"content":{"rendered":"

Celebrated on the first of May, May Day in Hawai\u2018i<\/strong> is a vibrant expression of island culture and aloha spirit. While many cultures mark May 1 with springtime traditions, Hawai\u2018i has created a celebration uniquely its own \u2014 centered around the beauty of lei-making, music, and hula.<\/p>\n

Across the islands, schools, communities, and cultural groups come together in colorful displays of floral artistry and dance, honoring both nature and heritage. At its heart, May Day in Hawai\u2018i is a joyful reminder of the connection \u2014 between people, the land, and the rich traditions that continue to thrive today.<\/p>\n

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May Day is Lei Day in Hawai’i, (Photo Credit: Chloe Ward)<\/p><\/div>\n

Honolulu\u2019s Lei Day Celebration<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The City and County of Honolulu<\/a> Department of Parks and Recreations, in conjunction with the Hawai\u2018i Tourism Authority, \u00a0holds the largest public celebration with its Annual Lei Day gala at Kapi\u2018olani Park Bandstand in Waik\u012bk\u012b.<\/p>\n

This celebration happens May 1 each year regardless of the day of the week. This year (2025) marks the 97th anniversary of Honolulu\u2019s Lei Day Celebration.<\/p>\n

This is the premier event showcasing the skill and talent of Hawai\u2018i\u2019s lei makers. In particular, the lei contest always attracts exquisitely crafted lei using a wide variety of materials, styles, and colors.<\/p>\n

Lei makers submit their fresh flower lei for the contest between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on the morning of the event. Following the lei judging, the public can view the submissions and winning lei contest exhibit from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.<\/p>\n

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People looking at the lei contest submissions on May Day in Hawai’i. (Photo Credit: Hawaii News Now)<\/p><\/div>\n

The lei queen and her court are on hand to meet the public. In addition, the day includes Hawaiian entertainment, hula<\/a> h\u0101lau performances, food, craft, and vendors.<\/p>\n

After the event ends, the flower lei from the contest are taken to Mauna \u2018Ala (The Royal Mausoleum) and Kawaiaha\u2018o Church where they are placed on the graves and tombs of Hawai\u2018i\u2019s ali\u2018i (chiefs and royalty).<\/p>\n

Learn how to grow your own lei flowers<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Origins of May Day in Hawai’i<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Don Blanding came to Hawai\u02bbi from Oklahoma in 1915. Before that, he had seen a play called \u201cThe Bird of Paradise,\u201d which was a romantic, but untrue, story about Hawai\u02bbi. Upon arrival in the islands, he began writing newspaper ads for Ajinomoto Foods and eventually became a successful author and artist.<\/p>\n

In 1927, Blanding and a fellow Honolulu Star-Bulletin writer named Grace Tower Warren came up with the idea of honoring Hawaii’s lei, which they thought to be in decline at the time. Warren came up with the catchy tagline that has been around for almost a century, \u201cMay Day is Lei Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The original founders of May Day is Lei Day. (Photo Credit: Honolulu Star-Bulletin)<\/p><\/div>\n

The first Lei Day was held on May 1, 1928, and was a rousing success. It took place in the Bank of Hawai\u02bbi lobby and the official judges were:<\/p>\n