Isle Pages

New releases from Hawaii authors

"May Day/Lei Day"

By Jeffrey Kent; photography by Minako Ishii; (Bess Press)

Whether you think of the first of May as May Day or Lei Day, this new "flip book" celebrates both approaches to the season.

Half is devoted to the May Day tradition that dates to England more than 700 years ago. The other half illustrates Hawaii's Lei Day traditions and their roots in royal history. The book is assembled with two covers, so you can read one version, then flip it over to read the other.

Half the royalties from sales of "May Day/Lei Day" will be donated by the writer and photographer to the Lei Fund, a scholarship endowment for underprivileged children.

The two will sign copies of the book Thursday at Lei Day celebrations in Kapiolani Park.