Celebrating innovative interpretations of today's lei makers, the Kaua'i Museum once again invites the public to join in its annual Lei Day Competition either as participants or in viewing the creations at the Museum on Thursday, May 1, 2008. The Museum will open its doors for viewing of lei at 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Hawai'i's Lei Day was first celebrated 80 years ago on May 1, 1928 at the suggestion of Don Blanding, a well known literary figure. Since then it has become an annual celebration of spring and all things Hawaiian represented by the iconic lei.
Offering one of the largest Lei Contests in the state and certainly on the island, Kaua'i Museum has encouraged lei makers over the years to refrain from taking wild plants from areas that are heavily used and instead use cultivated lei materials. Rare and endangered plants, including maile and mokihana, are excluded from the contest. Only fresh materials are accepted and there are 8 different categories to complete in, not including numerous other prestigious special awards. Contest categories include: Orange and/or Yellow; Blue and/or Purple; Pink and/or Red; White and/or Green; Mixed Colors; Plumeria; Ti leaf; and Hat. Multiple leis may be entered by a lei maker.
This year is a little different, and for the first time non-members of the Museum will be asked to pay a small fee of $5 to view the lei. If you aren't a member it is the perfect time to join. Members and children 12 and under are free. This is the only time of year that cameras are permitted in the Museum. Also new this year will be a lei making tent. Lei makers entering lei and other donors will be asked to bring a bag of lei materials, so that our visitors to the island and residents can make a lei to get into the spirit of the day. Noted island lei maker Noelani Pomroy will oversee the activity.
Lei Day Schedule of Events
| 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. |
receiving of lei on front lanai of Museum |
| 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. |
judging of lei and awards posted |
| 10:30 a.m. | entertainment and food vendors |
| 11 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
leis available for viewing |
| 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
silent lei auction |
| 1:00 p.m. | awards ceremony |
| 2:30 p.m. | silent lei auction closes and leis may be picked up at 3 p.m. |
| 3:30 p.m. | live auction of lei |
| 4:30 p.m. | museum closes |
For additional information
Lei maker flyer and application (PDF)
May Day flyer (PDF)
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