STAR-BULLETIN / 2002
Just about everywhere you go today will be filled with hula and the scent of fresh lei. It's the 75th anniversary of the Lei Day celebration.
May Day graced
by scent of flower lei
Today marks the 75th anniversary of Lei Day, a tradition dating to 1928, when local poet and artist Don Blanding suggested that Hawaii's people establish a special day to make and wear lei for family and friends in a demonstration of the aloha spirit.
The idea was endorsed by fellow writer Grace Tower Warren, who suggested May 1 as the date, coining the popular phrase, "May Day is Lei Day."
The day will be celebrated throughout town with presentations of hula, music and lei making.
Here are a few events taking place today:
>> Lei Day in the park: The City and County of Honolulu is hosting its 76th annual Lei Day Festival, and accompanying lei contests, at Queen Kapiolani Park today.
The theme for the adult lei and children's lei contests is E Ho'i Ka Paemoku. In addition to the lei contests, the festival will include the traditional investiture of the Lei Day Queen and her court; a youth lei contest; craft demonstrations; and Hawaiian entertainment all day. All events and contests are free.
The adult lei exhibit will be open from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., featuring entries collected between 7:30 and 9 a.m. at the park's bandstand.
Boys and girls 17 and under are invited to register at 3:30 p.m. for the youth lei contest beginning at 4 p.m. Winners in five age groups will be awarded cash prizes. For more information, call Roger Watanabe at 692-5114.
The Royal Hawaiian Band will perform at 10 a.m., with members of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association serenading the public nearby, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while several hula halau and bands perform on the main stage from 1:30 to 5 p.m.
Then at 11 a.m., the 2003 Lei Queen will be invested along with her three princesses.
The celebration wraps up at 9 a.m. tomorrow, when all leis are taken to the Royal Mausoleum at 2261 Nuuanu Ave. to be placed on the tombs of the Hawaiian royalty. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony.
>> Stop for drive-by lei: Don't have your lei yet? Stop by Ward Entertainment Centre where you can pick one up at curbside from several vendors offering their flowers from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. to motorists who want to drive up, hop up and get into the festive spirit of the day.
Charlene Kalae Campbell, Honolulu's 1998 Lei Queen, and her family and halau Kalae Makaipo O Na Hulu Mamo, will be among the vendors set up for the day.
Campbell is also a member of the Pua Melia Trio, who will be strolling throughout Victoria Ward Centers at lunchtime and pau hana, performing a little mood music.
There will also be a 6 p.m. hula performance at Ward Warehouse Amphitheatre Stage.
>> Lei-making at Macy's: Volunteers from the Lyon Arboretum will demonstrate the fine art of haku and wili wili lei making from noon to 2 p.m. today at Macy's Ala Moana, Levels 2 and 4, and Macy's Pearlridge, Level 2. Lei will also be available for sale at the otherwise free event.
For more information, call 945-5894.
>> Best lei in town: If you're stuck at the office downtown, stop by Na Mea Hawai'i at 851 Fort Street Mall. The gallery is looking for The Best Lei In Downtown Honolulu, and all entries are on display today and tomorrow.
For more information, call 548-2665.
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