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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.
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
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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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