Lei Day

What Is Lei Day?

Lei Day is an annual cultural observance dedicated to the traditional Hawaiian lei, its creation, and the custom of giving leis. Celebrated exclusively in Hawaii, United States, it highlights the importance of the lei as a symbol of aloha, friendship, celebration, and honour. The day encourages participation in lei making, wearing, and giving, thereby preserving an integral aspect of Hawaiian heritage.

The lei itself is a garland or wreath, most commonly made from flowers, but also from leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, or feathers. Its exchange is a long-standing practice in Hawaiian culture, signifying affection, welcome, farewell, or respect. Lei Day formalises this appreciation, transforming it into a statewide recognition of a cherished cultural artefact.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the lei embodies the spirit of aloha, which encompasses love, peace, compassion, and kindness. Lei Day thus serves as a public demonstration of these values, fostering community spirit and cultural pride across the Hawaiian islands. Educational institutions and community groups often play a significant role in organising events for the day.

History and Origins of Lei Day

The concept of Lei Day originated in the 1920s as a means to create a unique Hawaiian holiday that would celebrate the local culture. It was first conceived by poet and writer Don Blanding in 1927, who suggested a day dedicated to the lei. He proposed that 1 May, already known as May Day, would be an appropriate date due to its association with spring and flower celebrations in other cultures.

Blanding shared his idea with journalist Grace Tower Warren, who enthusiastically embraced it and coined the phrase “May Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi”. Her column in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on 1 May 1928, marked the unofficial beginning of the observance. The initial celebrations involved lei making contests and public gatherings.

The popularity of the observance grew rapidly, leading to its official recognition. In 1929, the Territorial Legislature of Hawaii formally designated 1 May as Lei Day. Since then, it has been consistently celebrated, evolving into a day marked by various cultural events, including the prestigious Lei Day Celebration at Kapiʻolani Park in Honolulu.

How Lei Day Is Celebrated

Lei Day is celebrated with a range of activities that underscore the cultural significance of the lei. The primary focus is on the creation and exchange of leis, with individuals often making or purchasing leis to give to family, friends, and visitors. Many participants wear leis throughout the day as an expression of their cultural pride and participation.

Across the islands, schools and community centres host lei making workshops, teaching traditional techniques and promoting the use of various native and introduced flowers. These workshops help to pass on the craft to younger generations. Contests are frequently held to recognise skill in lei composition and design, often judging categories based on materials, intricacy, and beauty.

The most prominent celebration is typically the annual Lei Day Celebration held at Kapiʻolani Park in Honolulu, Oʻahu. This event features lei exhibits, a lei queen and court, traditional Hawaiian music, hula performances, and food stalls. Similar, smaller-scale celebrations and festivals are held in other communities on all major islands, each adding their unique local flavour to the observance. The day also often concludes with the ceremonial placement of leis on statues of historical figures or their return to the ocean.

When Is Lei Day?

Lei Day is observed annually on a fixed date, 1 May. This date was chosen specifically by its founders to coincide with May Day, creating a synergistic celebration. As such, its observance does not vary from year to year or between different calendar systems; it consistently falls on the first day of May according to the Gregorian calendar.

While 1 May is also recognised as International Workers’ Day in many parts of the world, in Hawaii, the focus of this date shifts primarily to the celebration of the lei and Hawaiian culture. The consistent timing allows for annual planning of events and ensures its place as a predictable fixture in the Hawaiian cultural calendar.

Lei Day Key Facts