98th Annual Lei Day Celebration

Mayor Rick Blangiardi, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, and the 97th Lei Court welcome everyone to take part in the 98th Annual Lei Day Celebration sponsored by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the support of Kilohana by CNHA. This free celebration perpetuates Hawaiian culture and one of the most recognized symbols of aloha -- the lei. It will be held on Friday, May 1st, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kapi‘olani Park near the Bandstand. Nearing one-hundred years of celebration, this tradition showcases the skill and artistry of Hawai‘i’s lei makers, while featuring fantastic local entertainment, performances from hula hālau, and local food, craft, and lei vendors.

Be sure to see the Lei Contest Exhibit that showcases some of the world’s most exquisite, handcrafted lei in a variety of materials, colors, and styles. Those wishing to enter fresh flower lei for the contest must submit them between 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Lei Receiving Booth on the day of the celebration. The public will have an opportunity to view the exhibit from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., following the judging of the lei and the official opening of the exhibit by the Lei Court.

Also featured at this celebration are the smooth sounds of Hawaiian Steel Guitar performers in the Lei Exhibit area from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and lei-making (while flowers and supplies last) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.