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Lei Day
by W.Holidays
On May 1st
Hawaiians celebrate Lei Day. Everyone wears leis. Festivities
include hula dancing, music, exhibits, and lei making contests. Schools
crown Lei Day kings, queens, and princesses.
The origin for this celebration comes from writer and poet Don
Blanding, who in 1928 wrote an article for the local paper suggesting
for a special day to focus on the Hawaiian tradition of leis. Another
writer Grace Tower Warren suggested it take place on May 1st in
conjunction with May Day.
Grace Tower Warren coined the phrase "May Day is Lei Day." The first
Lei Day was held on May 1, 1928. In 1929, Lei Day was made an official
Hawaiian holiday.
"...May Day is Lei Day in
Hawai`i
Garlands of flowers ev'rywhere,
All of the colors in the
rainbow
Maidens with blossoms in their hair
Flowers that mean we should be
happy,
Throwing aside a load of care,
Oh, May Day is Lei Day in
Hawai`i
Lei Day is happy day out there."
~ Red Hawke, 1928 ~
About Leis
 Leis may be worn any time and for any reason. One should
never refuse a lei, rather smile and graciously accept the gift. If you are
allergic to the flowers after a bit simple slip it off discreetly.
A few
superstitions:
- Don't give a lei to a pregnant woman as it is
thought to bring bad luck to the fetus.
- Don't give a hala lei to a politician, at
the hala tree means to "move on " and "things are ending".
Each island has its own traditional lei.
- Hawai'i - lehua
The feather red blossoms
grows on the volcanic slopes of the Big Island. The flowers, sacred to the
goddess Pele, are most commonly red although they are also found in white,
yellow, and orange.
- Kaua'i
- mokihana
The small round seeds only found on Kaua'i carry the aroma of
anise which intensifies as they dry.
- Kaho'olawe - hinahina
Found on the sandy beaches of this island just above
the high water line. The hairy silver-gray stems and flowers of this plant are
used.
- Lana'i-
kaunaoa
The stringy, orange strands of this parasitic vine are scooped up
and loosely twisted together.
- Maui - lokelani
Also known as the "rose
of heaven" this pink flower is sweetly scented and delicate. It is often paired
with ferns.
- Moloka'i- kukui
The tiny white flowers of this tree are braided
together. The polished nuts are often strung together to make leis as
well.
- Ni'ihau- pupu
Shells of various colors are gathered, pierced, and
strung together to make these popular leis.
- O'ahu-
'ilima
This yellow-orange flower is paper thin. It requires hundreds of
these flowers and a lot of work to make just one lei. This lei is often
referred to as the royal lei as they were once only worn by the high
chiefs.
Caring for Leis
Leis are not meant to
last forever with exception of the shell lei, but you can extend the life of your
lei by lightly sprinkling the foliage with a small amount of cool water, then
wrapping it in damp newspaper, and storing it in the refrigerator or cool place.
Some flowers are easily bruised so handle them gently. The 'ilima leis'
life can not be extended, it will last only through the night.
Crafts for Lei Day
Candy Lei
skill level: easiest
cost: under
$5
craft time: 10 minutes
The cost will depend on the candy you use
and how many you make.
yarn
hard candy in wrappers
have on
hand
scissors
Cut yarn a little longer than you wish it to hang
around your neck.
Tie candy to yarn then tie the ends together.
Construction Flower Lei
skill level: easiest
cost: under
$5
craft time: 15 minutes
construction paper
colorful
straws
yarn
have on hand
scissors
hole punch
Prep
Work:
Cut yarn a little longer than you wish it to hang around your
neck.
Cut straws into 1 inch long pieces.
Cut lots of flower shapes out of
construction paper.
Using a hole punch, punch holes in the center of
flowers.
Construction:
String the pieces of straws alternating with
the flowers.
Tie the ends together.
modified
April 23, 2008 |
