May 1st is a cultural and historical celebration in Hawaii known as May Day. May Day is highly anticipated each year by the people of Hawaii and visitors who plan their entire trip around the festivities. May Day is a wonderful celebration of the Lei and Hawaiian culture, especially with the children on the Islands.
Throughout the Hawaiian Islands, May Day celebrations have evolved to include beautiful parades, lei contests and the appointing of a royal court. Even the schools celebrate May Day, with children of all grade levels learning the proper protocol for welcoming the royal court and performing hula. Each of the eight main Hawaiian Islands are represented on the royal court by color and type of flower that is worn; being selected to be on the royal court, or even being named a king or queen, is a huge honor that is taken very seriously by being a good example for peers and a good student in school.
Each Islands has it's own Lei Day symbol that consists of a color and a flower. On Maui the color is pink and the flower is the Lokelani, on the Big Island the color is red and the flower is lehua blossom from the Ohia Tree, on Kauai the color is green and the flower is mokihana, on Oahu the color is golden and the flower is Ilima. May Day, Lei Day contests and celebrations abound with Lei making contests, musical performances and festivals.
The Lei is a celebration of the Aloha spirit in Hawaii and can represent someone saying hi, a warm greeting, celebrating love or a sincere goodbye. The spirit of Aloha can be felt throughout the Hawaiian Islands on many levels and it's meaning reaches near and far with Hawaii's residents and visitors alike. Here are some tips to remember when participating in a May Day celebration or just giving a lei:
Throughout the Hawaiian Islands, May Day celebrations have evolved to include beautiful parades, lei contests and the appointing of a royal court. Even the schools celebrate May Day, with children of all grade levels learning the proper protocol for welcoming the royal court and performing hula. Each of the eight main Hawaiian Islands are represented on the royal court by color and type of flower that is worn; being selected to be on the royal court, or even being named a king or queen, is a huge honor that is taken very seriously by being a good example for peers and a good student in school.
Each Islands has it's own Lei Day symbol that consists of a color and a flower. On Maui the color is pink and the flower is the Lokelani, on the Big Island the color is red and the flower is lehua blossom from the Ohia Tree, on Kauai the color is green and the flower is mokihana, on Oahu the color is golden and the flower is Ilima. May Day, Lei Day contests and celebrations abound with Lei making contests, musical performances and festivals.
The Lei is a celebration of the Aloha spirit in Hawaii and can represent someone saying hi, a warm greeting, celebrating love or a sincere goodbye. The spirit of Aloha can be felt throughout the Hawaiian Islands on many levels and it's meaning reaches near and far with Hawaii's residents and visitors alike. Here are some tips to remember when participating in a May Day celebration or just giving a lei:
- When offering a lei to a person, always remember to drape (not throw) the lei around the neck of a person and rest it on their shoulders
- It is customary to give a person a kiss on the cheek or hug when presenting the lei
- If you are fortunate enough to receive a lei as well, make sure to continue to wear your lei while in the presence of the giver
