HONOLULU — May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii, and festivities for the 95th Annual Lei Day Celebration are set to kick off at 9 a.m. Monday with a performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band at Queen Kapiolani Park near the bandstand.

What You Need To Know

  • The 95th Annual Lei Day Celebration takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday at Queen Kapiolani Park

  • Lei Court Investiture begins at 11 a.m.

  • Lei Contest Exhibit opens at 12:30 p.m. with the theme, “Lei Kuahiwi–mountain lei”

  • At 9 a.m. on May 2, the Lei Day Celebration will officially close with a special ceremony at Mauna ‘Ala, the Royal Mausoleum, and at Kawaiaha‘o Church at approximately 10:15 a.m

A hula performance by Nā Wahine O Ka Hula Mai Ka Pu‘uwai will then follow at 10 a.m. And at 11 a.m., the 94th Lei Court will take part in the Investiture Ceremony. Lei Queen Leilani Kūpahu-Marino Kaho‘ano and her court, First Princess Melodie Lynn Leina‘ala Nalua‘i Vega and Princess Charlene Kapualani Kauhane Harano will receive presentations, hula performances and the offering of ho‘okupu (gifts).

Attendees can sit back and enjoy performances by Mark Yamanaka, Bobby Moderow, Jr., Anthony Pfluke, Mana Maoli and Hālau Hula ‘O Hōkūlani throughout the day.

The making and giving of lei is a time-honored tradition of Hawaiian culture, one of the most recognized symbols of Hawaiiʻs spirit of aloha. Lei Day honors the leiʻs significance and showcases the skill and artistry of Hawaiiʻs lei makers, many of whom have practiced the craft over their lifetimes.

The Lei Court officially opens the Lei Contest Exhibit at 12:30 p.m. and is the first to view some of the most exquisite handcrafted lei made from varied materials and in different styles. The theme for the 2023 Lei Day is “Lei Kuahiwi–mountain lei.”

The public can also enjoy performances by the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; take part in lei-making and Hawaiian craft demonstrations in Kulana Lei, a village of Hawaiian artisans, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and enjoy a diverse selection of food vendors, craft and lei merchants.

At 9 a.m. on May 2, the Lei Day Celebration will officially close with a special ceremony at Mauna ‘Ala, the Royal Mausoleum, and at Kawaiaha‘o Church at approximately 10:15 a.m. During the ceremony, lei from the Lei Contest Exhibit are placed on the graves of Hawaiiʻs ali‘i (royalty). The public is invited to attend both of these events.

According to the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, the tradition of the Lei Day celebration began on May 1, 1927, when people began wearing lei in downtown Honolulu. As more people began to observe the practice of wearing lei on May 1, the tradition of “May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii” was born. Honolulu Mayor Charles Arnold crowned the first lei Queen Nina Bowman in 1928. Learn more about the history of Lei Day (scroll to the bottom and click "history").

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.