Lei Day prizes,
music to fill park

The city will hold its 78th annual Lei Day Festival at Queen Kapiolani Park on May 1.

Prizes will be awarded for the best lei in three categories: neck lei, hat lei and theme lei. The Mayor's Grand Prize will be awarded to the most outstanding lei.

Cash awards will also be given in three youth divisions: ages 8 and younger, 9 to 12 years old and ages 13 to 17.

Applications for both adult and youth lei contests are available at all district parks and satellite city halls on Oahu. They are also available on the web, at www.honoluluparks.com.

Festivities at the event start at 9 a.m. and continue through 5 p.m., with music from the Royal Hawaiian Band and the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, craft exhibits, lei vendors food and performances from several hula halau.

On May 2, the winning lei can be viewed for a final time at Mauna 'Ala -- the Royal Mausoleum at 2261 Nuuanu Ave. -- before they are placed on the tombs of alii.

The lei will be on display between 8:45 to 9 a.m., after which the hour-long ceremony will start. A history of the mausoleum will be given from 10 to 11 a.m.

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact organizers Kaiulani Vincent at 692-5118 or Jeff Gere at 692-5751.