3 ways to celebrate Lei Day this week

Posted by Mapuana Andrade on Monday, April 29th, 2019 at 4:42pm

 

Fragrant, tropical flowers sewn into lei, hula and the sounds of music echoing through public spaces can only mean one thing: It’s Lei Day on Maui.  

Every year on the first day of May, the state celebrates the giving of the flower lei and the history of the Hawaiian people. Better known as May Day across the U.S., a famous song captures the essence of the Hawai’i’s version of the holiday best, “May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii, garlands of flowers everywhere, all of the colors in the rainbow, maidens with blossoms in their hair.” 

From lei making workshops to concerts, here are a few ways you can celebrate the holiday on Maui:

Lei Day Heritage Festival

May 01, 2019

10:00am - 4:00pm


PHOTO: Forest And Kim Starr

Head to the Maui Historical Society at 2375 Main St. in Wailuku this Wednesday for a day of lei making and contests, craft demonstrations, food and live music. Throughout the day, you can explore the society’s special exhibitions of historical artifacts and participate in arts and crafts workshops. There will also be opportunities to buy handmade gifts and ono grinds.

 

Lei Making Workshop

May 03, 2019

9:00am - 12:00pm

 

Spend the morning at the Hui Noeau learning how to create beautiful lei with Rose Piilani Bailey, a hula dancer and Hawaiian arts practitioner. Embracing family traditions that have been passed down for many generations, Rose takes pride in using many native Hawaiian plants and materials in her lei and other hana noeau (arts). Using flowers and plants grown at her own home, she’ll teach your how to make two beautiful styles of lei—a haku and neck lei. To register online, visit www.huinoeau.com.

 

Cazimero Lei Day Concert

May 03, 2019

7:30pm - 10:00pm

 

Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero returns with his periennially popular Lei Day event, along with the musicians and dancers from his Merrie Monarch Festival-winning Halau Na Kamalei. Enjoy the smooth showmanship, talent, and graciousness of Robert Cazimero, along with contemporary Hawaiian music and hula. Before the show starts, head to the Yokouchi Pavilion Courtyard for festivities including local craft vendors, live music and fragrant lei available for purchase.

 

 

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