~*`MAY DAY IS LEI DAY IN HAWAII`*~
~*`1ST OF MAY IS `LEI DAY IN HAWAII`*~
`When viewing videos,
be sure to stop one before playing another
as there are 3 videos on this page for your enjoyment!
Enjoy the `May Day Parade`, most of all, very colorful!
`aloha hugs to all~ Janie
`LEI DAY CELEBRATIONS IN HAWAII``
As reported in This Week Publications's feature on Lei Day, "Many people have difficulty saying 'I love you.' In Hawaii, we get around the words by giving a lei," explains Marie McDonald. The renown lei specialist has won the grand prize at Oahu's annual Lei Day competition and authored the definitive pictorial history book on lei art, Ka Lei. "Giving a lei lets someone know you love, respect and honor them. Even though a floral lei lasts a short time, the thought behind it lingers."
Each of the major Hawaiian Islands has a lei, treasured as its own.
Maui - lokelani. The pink lokelani or "rose of heaven" is sweet scented and very delicate.
Hawaii - lehua. It's blossoms come from the `ohi`a lehua tree which grows on the slopes of the volcanoes on the Big Island. Its flowers, most commonly red but also found in white, yellow and orange, are sacred to Pele, the goddess of volcanoes.
Kauai - mokihana. Actually a fruit, the purplish berries of this tree which is found only on Kauai are strung like beads and often woven with strands of maile. The berries have a scent of anise and are long lasting.
Kaho'olawe - hinahina. Found on the beaches of Kaho`olawe, the stems and flowers of this silver-gray plant are braided together to form this lei.
Lanai - kaunaoa. The light orange thread-like strands of this parasitic vine are gathered in handfuls and twisted together to form the lei.
Maui - lokelani. The pink lokelani or "rose of heaven" is sweet scented and very delicate.
Molokai - kukui. The leaves and white flowers and sometimes nuts of the silver-green kekui, or candlenut, tree are braided together to make this lei.
Ni'ihau - pupu. Ni'ihau - pupu. White pupu shells found along the shoreline of this rocky island are pierced and strung on cords to form this lei.
O'ahu - `ilima. This yellow/orange lei is velvety, paper thin and very delicate. It is sometimes called the royal lei because they were once worn only by the high chiefs.
`HISTORY OF MAY DAY IN HAWAII`!
In early 1928 writer and poet Don Blanding wrote an article in a local paper suggesting that a holiday be created centered around the Hawaiian custom of making and wearing lei. It was fellow writer Grace Tower Warren who came up with the idea of a holiday on May 1 in conjunction with May Day. She is also responsible for the phrase, "May Day is Lei Day." If you are ever on Oahu on May 1, you'll get to experience this Hawaiian holiday first-hand for yourself.
The first Lei Day was held on May 1, 1928, and everyone in Honolulu was encouraged to wear lei. Festivities were held downtown with hula, music, lei making demonstrations and exhibits and lei making contests.
`THE DRAPING OF LEIS ON KING KAMEHAMEHA'S STATUE IN HONOR OF LEI DAY CELEBRATIONS`
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported, "lei blossomed on straw and felt hats, lei decorated automobiles, men and women and children wore them draped about their shoulders. To the city Kamehameha's statue extended a garland of maile and plumeria, which fluttered in the wind from its extended hand. Lei recaptured the old spirit of the islands (a love of color and flowers, fragrance, laughter and aloha)."
In 1929, Lei Day was made an official holiday in the territory, a tradition which was interrupted only during the years of World War II, and which continues today.
`MAY DAY CELEBRATION HULA`
We hope that you enjoy your Lei Day whether you are in Hawaii or elsewhere.