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May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii

May 1 is a holiday known as May Day in most of the world but in Hawaii that holiday is known as "Lei Day" and it is celebrated by wearing a lei and also by organizing lei-making contests, festivals, and concerts, and other celebrations throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii
Photo Credit: Hawaii Tourism Japan



2009 Lei Day Events in Hawaii
Information about 2009 Lei Day events in Hawaii, including the schedule for the 2009 Waikiki Lei Day celebration in Kapiolani Park, the annual Brothers Cazimero Lei Day Concert, and Lei Day celebrations at two resorts on the island of Maui.



The History of Lei Day
The idea of designating a special day to celebrate and recognize the custom of giving and receiving lei was first presented by poet and Honolulu Star Bulletin writer Don Blanding in 1927. He and columnist Grace Tower Warren decided the event should be on May 1st and they introduced the phrase "May Day is Lei Day". That phrase inspired Leonard and Ruth Hawk to write a song called "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii" which is still played at every Lei Day celebration in Hawaii. Only a few people wore a lei at the first celebration on May 1, 1972, but since then it has grown into a huge event.

Lei Day Today
On May 1st, nearly everyone in Hawaii wears a flower lei, from children in school to executives at Hawaii's top corporations. "Lei Day" has been celebrated since 1927, and it is a huge celebration in Hawaii. Special events on Lei Day include crowning a Lei Day Queen, adult and children's lei making contests, lei exhibits and workshops, and concerts.

See also:
- How to Make a Fresh Flower Lei
- Tropical Flower Shops on the Web
- Books About the Hawaiian Lei
- Other Holidays in Hawaii



Related Links
Events in Hawaii - Main Menu
Islands of Hawaii
Hawaii for Visitors

Elsewhere on the Web
Oahu Visitor's Bureau on Lei Day
State of Hawaii on Lei Day
Honolulu City and County on Lei Day



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