May 1st is typically celebrated around the world as a worker’s holiday, or as a festival of Spring. In the Hawaiian Islands, however, it is simply known as Lei Day. In 1929, Lei Day became an official holiday, and continues to be marked by the simple giving and receiving of lei between family and friends.
A lei of Lehua blossoms represent the Big Island of Hawai’i
Lei Day Events Around the Big Island
Lei Day Festival “He Mo’olelo O Ka Lei” – Hilo, Hawaii
“May, the Month of the Lei” celebration in Hilo’s old Town Square, Kalakaua Park begins with Hawaiian music, hula, lei-making demonstrations, the heritage, history, and culture of the lei.
- Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Location: Kalakaua Park, Hilo.
- Fee: Free to the public
- For more information: call 808.961.5711
May Day is Lei Day – Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy live entertainment by the “Kani Le’a Ma Kilauea” Ukulele Band! Also, a hands-on cultural demonstration of lei-making will be offered on the Volcano Art Center Gallery porch.
- Time: 11 AM to 1 PM
- Location: Volcano Art Center Gallery porch
- Fee: Everyone is welcome and all events are free (donations accepted); park entrance fees apply
- For more information: call 808.967.8222 or visit the Volcano Art Center
“Lei Day is Floral Day!” with Scott Seymoyr – Donkey Mill Art Center, Holualoa
Scott Seymour, floral designer, will share his keen eye and talent with students as they learn how to make their own floral arrangements for any special occasion. Create your very own unique lei or arrangement for the May 1st traditional celebration! At the end of each class, students will receive a critique on their piece as well as learn how to critique the work of others.
- Time: 10 AM to 1 PM
- Location: Donkey Mill Art Center, Holualoa
- For more information: call 808.322.3362 or visit the Donkey Mill Art Center
There are two options for tuition:
- $125 for all materials included (containers and flowers)
- $65 and bring your own container and flowers (Scott will provide ‘fillers’)
A lei is not simply flowers strung together on a thread
The True Meaning of a Lei
A lei is true and tactile representation of Aloha and the Aloha spirit given as a gift. The gift itself tells the story of the relationship between the giver and the receiver of the lei. There are, of course, flower lei, lei made of shells, seeds, or even berries. Maile lei are made from woven vines. Words of a poem, or a song, can be woven into lei as well. Each lei tells a story, sometimes it is of farewell or welcome home, but it is always the story of love.
Interested in More Information or Want to “Talk Story”?
The undeniable beauty of the Hawaiian culture and people were one of my main reasons for choosing the Big Island of Hawaii. If you are considering relocating to the Big Island of Hawaii, or are in the market for real estate anywhere along the sunny Kona coastline, please contact me anytime for a no obligation “talk story” about why I make Kona home. Let me help you to live your best Hawaii life!
Please feel free to contact me anytime at:
Todd W. Barrett, Realtor(S), ABR
Direct: 808.937.1629
Email: Todd@HawaiiLife.com