Hawaii: Today in History 5/1 (Lei Day+)
5-1-1928 Lei Day begun (a Hawaiian celebration)
Lei Day is a statewide celebration in all of Hawaii. The celebration begins in the morning of May first every year and continues throughout the entire day and even continues onto the next day. Lei day was established as a holiday in the year of 1929 and continues to this day. Each Hawaiian island has a different type of lei that is used for the celebration and for its people to wear. The festivities have consistently grown each year and the state of Hawaii has had to move the location of the event. Lei day was first held in the Courts and Town Halls but has since been moved to Kapi’olani park where it is still being held today.
About the islands
Lei day in the state of Hawaii has a very rich and colorful history. Each island in Hawaii has a special flower that represents that specific island. The island of Hawaii, more commonly known as The Big Island, has the beautiful red blossom of the ohia tree, called the lehua blossom, for its flower. The island of Maui’s flower is called the Lokelani and is pink. The island of Oahu’s flower is called the Ilima. The Ilima’s color is golden and can be seen all across the island. Molokai uses a flower named the Kukui which has a green color to it. A smaller island named Lanai has a grassy flower called Kauna’o which is a yellow color. The island of Kahoolawe and its flower Hinahina has a silver-gray color across the top. The final two islands have unique sets of flowers. Kauai has plentiful mokihana flowers of a beautiful green color. The island of Niihau’s “flower” is actually a shell called Pupu.
Becoming official
In 1929 Lei Day was officially recognized as a holiday. However, the first celebration of this event was in the year of 1927. The first celebration was held at the bank of Hawaii, then moved to town hall, and finally moved to Kapi’olani park. In 1928 writer Don Blanding wrote an article in the local newspaper stating that there should be a holiday celebrated around the wearing and production of leis.
When it is celebrated
Traditionally held on May 1 beginning at 9:00 a.m. The event lasts all through the day and ends at 5:30 p.m. A Lei Contest is held May 2 for all public to see. It was writer Grace Tower Warren that finally suggested that Lei Day be celebrated on May 1 which to be in conjunction with May Day. She was coined in saying, ” May day is Lei day.”
Differences in lei
Leis
Each island of Hawaii has a specific Lei which makes great variety in the leis being produced from each part of Hawaii. The island of Kauai’s lei is actually a type of fruit. These purple berries are strung around and leave a blossoming smell that can only be found on this island. Kahoolawe’s is called hinahina and this is found on the beaches of Kahoolawe, the stems and flowers of this plant are twisted together to be formed. The island of Lanai has a kaunaoa Lei. The light orange thin strands of vine are gathered in groups and twisted together. The island of Maui houses the lokelani Lei. Its color is pink and is sweet scented and very fragile. Molokai is home to the kukui. The leaves are mostly silver green and combined together to be made into a lei. Niihau is a smaller island, but is very plentiful of pupu. White pupu shells have to be pierced with small holes to be strung into a lei. Oahu has the `Ilima flower. This yellow lei is very thin and even more fragile. This specific lei is often called the “Royal lei” because in the past it was worn by high chieftains.
5-1-1738 Kamehameha I, King of Hawaii (1782-1819), born in Kohala, Hawaii (d. 1819)
According to legend the kahunas predicted that a great king would be born on the night a comet passed over the islands of Hawaiʻi. Kamehameha was born in February 1758, the year Halley’s Comet made an appearance over Hawaiʻian skies. Two other dates are also commonly accepted: November 1737, or May 1, 1738.
Kamehameha was born on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi and named Paiea. His father was said to be High Chief Keoua Kalanikupuapaikalaninui, a grandson of Keaweikekahialiiokamoku, who once ruled a large portion of the island. Translated, Kamehameha means “the lonely one.”
Another legend tells of a kahuna who prophesied that the man who moved the 7000-pound (3175.2-kilogram) Naha Stone would become the greatest king of Hawaiʻi. According to the legend, at age 14 Paiea not only moved the stone, but lifted it and turned it completely over.
