Lei makers bloom at competition

Veteran makers sweep the awards in the city contest

A group of veteran lei makers collected most of the awards in the city's annual lei-making competition yesterday as they have in the past several years.

William W. "Bill" Char was the winner of the Mayor's Grand Prize in the annual competition at the city's Lei Day celebration at Kapiolani Park. Like the other veterans, Char was a repeat winner in several of the categories reflecting each island's traditional color and lei materials. Char got $500 for the top prize and a total of $1,700 in award money for nine winning leis.

Brian J.J. Choy won the blue ribbon in the theme category for a lei determined to best reflect the Lei Day theme "Na Lei Malamalama l Na Kai 'Ewalu" -- "the illuminating leis of the eight seas."

He took first prize in four color categories and a total of eight awards, collecting $1,490 in prize money.

The city created a new kamaaina category this year for residents who have not been previous winners. June E. Saito collected $100 for first place; Margaret S. Lee, $80 for second; and Kathleen D. Tanaka, $60 for third.

A new malihini category for visitors had no winners.

All the entries were to be taken today to the Royal Mausoleum, Mauna Ala, to be draped on the tombs of Hawaiian alii.