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May, the Month of the Lei
6^th Annual Lei Day Celebration
"He Mo`olelo o ka Lei"

May 1, 2010
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Kalákaua Park
In
Downtown Hilo

We started in 2005 at the Wailoa Art Center and went to Mo`oheau Bandstand in 2006. While the Bandstand was a great place, we are constantly seeking ways to make the celebration better and more historically accurate.
When we learned that the early Lei Day celebrations in Hilo were held in the town square, now known as Kalākaua Park, we were seriously considering moving there.
When the East Hawai`i Cultural Center offered to co-sponsor us, the decision was made.

Please join us this Lei Day to celebrate the history, culture, and heritage of the lei at Kalākaua Park.

Entertainment

Buddy and Sammi Fo

Braddah Waltah

Keoki Kahumoku

Troy De Roche

Hálau Hula
Ke `Olu Makani o Mauna Loa

Manu Josiah

The Maile Sisters

Learn the lyrics to the Lei Day song!

Thoughts
on
Lei Day

In 2001, our Senator, Daniel Kahikina Akaka, during a May 1 address, said, " 'May Day is Lei Day' in Hawaii. Lei Day is a nonpolitical and nonpartisan celebration. Indeed, its sole purpose is to engage in random acts of kindness and sharing, and to celebrate the Aloha spirit, that intangible, but palpable, essence which is best exemplified by the hospitality and inclusiveness exhibited by the Native Hawaiians -- Hawaii's indigenous peoples -- to all people of goodwill."

At our halau's first Lei Day celebration, held at Wailoa Center, Kumu Leilehua said, "A lei is not just flowers strung on a thread. A lei is a tangible representation of aloha in which symbols of that aloha are carefully sewn or woven together to create a gift. This gift tells a story of the relationship between the giver and the recipient. many things can make up a lei. One can string flowers, seeds, shells, or berries into a lei. One can weave vines and leaves into a lei. Once can weave words into a poem or song, which is then a lei. The ultimate expression of a lei is kamalei - the child which represents the intertwining of aloha between the parents."

The theme for our Lei Day festival is "He Mo`olelo o ka Lei," A Story of the Lei. This theme was selected to help us to remember that each lei tells a story, perhaps of farewell, of return, or a job well done. . . but always, the story is of love.

May Calendar
The Month of the Lei  Highlights
Full Calendar
 

Hilo / Kalakaua Park: Saturday, May 1 - May Day (May 1) is Lei Day in Hawai`i!
Join Leilehua, Hālau Nā Mohala o Hāla`i, the East Hawai`i Cultural Center, www.KaaheleHawaii.com, and others in this 5th annual He Mo`olelo o ka Lei celebration of Hawai`i's "garlands of aloha."
Reading of the Mayor's proclamation declaring May 1 "Lei Day in Hawai`i County" and "May the Month of the Lei in Hawai`i County." Free event.
Call 895-0850 or e-mail Leilehua for more information.

Volcano Village / Niaulani Campus: Saturday, May 1 - First Annual "Lei Day Festival"
Family event celebrating "Lei Day is May Day in Hawai'i" for all ages, residents and visitors alike. Join in the creative and cultural sharing of lei-making demonstrations, lei contest and display, hula and ‘ukulele performances, talk-story sessions, guided tours of the native forest and more. Lei contest is open to all ages and cash prizes are awarded for outstanding entries. Lei entries become part of a silent auction fundraiser for VAC. Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village, 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. Free; donations appreciated. Call (808) 967-8222. 

Ka`u / Pahala Community Center: Saturday, May 1 - Sunday, May 2 - Ka`u Coffee Festival celebrates the rich history and traditions of the coffee farmers of Ka`u.

Waikoloa / Queen's MarketPlace: Saturday, May 1- Kumu Keala Ching brings his hálau hula Hálau Ka Pa Hula Na Wai Iwi Ola to the Wakoloa Bowl to dance to the sweet voices of Olomana and Hoku Zutermeister.

Hilo / Prince Kuhiö Plaza: Saturday, May 1 - The award winning 9th Annual AstroDay Festival will be back at the Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo, Hawaii on Saturday, May 1st, 2010 from 10 am until 4 pm. Featuring interactive exhibits from every observatory on Mauna Kea, demonstrations and presentations, Hawaiian Culture displays, StarLab Planetarium shows, science demonstrations, scholastic robotics demonstrations, telescope viewing and a Kids Corner with fun activities. There will be Hawaiian slack key music by award winning local musicians. Many prizes to give away! Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Contact Gary Fujihara at (808) 932-2328 or email him at fujmon@mac.com or visit http://www.astroday.net for more information.

Hilo / Palace Theater: Sunday, May 2 - May Day Mele - Annual Lei Day celebration held the first Sunday in May at Hilo's historic Palace Theater. Live music, historic movies, free and fun for all! 38 Haili St. Hilo.

Mauna Kea / Visitor Information Station Conference Room: Saturday, May 15 - 6th Annual He Mo`olelo o ka Lei  "Story of the Lei" presentation. Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah present the history and culture of the lei through story, chant, song, and hula. 6 pm.