Modern May Day celebrations in Hawaiʻi bring together traditional Hawaiian symbolism and contemporary pageantry. The symbols employed in these celebrations – colors, beloved aliʻi, mountains, flora and fauna, and so on – have long-standing associations with particular islands.

Lei Day is a statewide celebration in Hawaii. The celebration begins in the morning of May first every year and continues into the next day. Lei day was established as a holiday in 1929. Each Hawaiian island has a different type of lei for its people to wear in the celebration.

Apr 1, 2025 · Lei Day, celebrated annually on May 1st, is a beloved holiday in Hawaii that honors the rich tradition of lei-making and the vibrant culture of the Hawaiian islands. It’s a day filled with fragrant blooms, joyful gatherings, and heartfelt expressions of aloha.

May 1, 2023 · Leis are seen during everyday life in Hawaii. Hula performers wear leis around their necks and heads, called lei po‘o, to represent the mo‘olelo (story) they're dancing to. It's custom to give...

This is a day celebrating the custom of giving and receiving lei. It occurs each year on May 1 and is honored at schools, parks, and businesses. Today, we’re sharing all about Hawaii Mayday and how you can celebrate it, whether you’re here in the islands or thousands of miles away.

Stop by Kapi‘olani Park in Waikiki, Oahu, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 1, 2024, and enjoy a variety of free entertainment. The theme of this year’s Lei Day, "Komo mai kāu māpuna hoe" (Dip your paddle in), invites attendees to delight in the artistry of Hawai‘i’s lei makers and performances from hula halau.

May 1, celebrated around the world as a workers’ holiday, and in England and parts of Europe as a festival of spring, in the Hawaiian Islands has been known for some four generations as Lei Day.

Lei Day is happy day out there. In modern times, a lei is often given with a kiss. The story goes: During World War II, a hula dancer at one of the USO clubs was dared by her girlfriends to kiss a handsome young officer.

Feb 22, 2024 · Always celebrated on May 1st, Lei Day is not a state holiday, so businesses are open as usual. The celebration is marked by making and wearing lei, parades, contests, music, and traditional hula. The largest Lei Day festival takes place in Honolulu at Kapiolani Park.

Mar 17, 2023 · Learn all about Lei Day, Hawaiian Leis, and how people celebrate May Day in Hawaii so you can plan the perfect cultural vacation!