HOLIDAY
CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
Mayor Mufi Hannemann poses with the 2006 Lei Day court: princesses Délys Hulalimaikalanimai Kanemura Recca, left, and Jorena Lehuanani Young; queen Sharla Ku'ualohapumehana Ka'eo; and princess, first runner-up Lauren Kanoelani Chang.
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Lei Day aloha at bandstand, Waikiki Shell
Monday is May 1, which makes it Lei Day, which means the least you should do is pick a plumeria blossom and stick it in your hair.
For the more ambitious, Lei Day-spirited, the city's 79th Lei Day Celebration offers a way to share in the aloha.
May Day entertainment
9 a.m.: Royal Hawaiian Band
10 a.m.: Kapena
11 a.m.: Investiture of 2006 Lei Queen Sharla Ku'ualohapumehana Ka'eo, and he court
12:15 p.m.: Makaha Sons
1:15 p.m.: Na Wahine o ka Hula Mai ka Puuwai, hula performance
1:55 p.m.: Na Opio o Laakona, hula performance
2:50 p.m.: Na Opio o Koolau, hula performance
3:45 p.m.: Hula o Hokulani, hula performance
4:45 p.m.: Ho'onu'a
5:30 p.m.: Closing song, "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii"May Day entertainment
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It all happens from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand, with even more activities in light of the city's centennial celebration, which continues until July.
Celebrate into the night with the Brothers Cazimero's May Day Concert, which follows at the Waikiki Shell.
Lei Day was first celebrated in 1927 in downtown Honolulu. It began simply, with a few people wearing leis, eventually growing to include lei exhibits and the selection of a Lei Queen. Festivities moved to City Hall and then to Kapiolani Park.
Centerpiece to the event is the lei-making competition, which includes two new categories this year: "Lei Kamaaina," for residents who have never won before, and "Lei Malihini," for visitors. For rules and application forms, visit the Web site www.honoluluparks.com or call 973-7250.
Leis will be displayed in the open area between the bandstand and the Waikiki Shell. The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association will perform there from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Children can learn lei-making techniques and etiquette in the same area from 3 to 5 p.m.
On Tuesday, the leis from the competition will be taken to Mauna 'Ala, the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu, and to King Lunalilo's burial site at Kawaiaha'o Church.
This year's theme is "Na Lei Malamalama o Na Kai 'Ewalu" -- "The Illuminating Leis of the Eight Seas."
Free lei-making workshops are offered at the ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel, poolside from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow through Monday. A free hula workshop will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday. Call 218-5546.
Other free lei-making workshops at city parks on Oahu are listed at the Web site www.honoluluparks.com.
For more information, call the Department of Parks and Recreation, 692-5751 or 692-5118, or visit the Web site.
