Art of Lei. Tribute to Hawaiian Lei - Lei Day Honolulu

Lei Day. Once a year on May Day (the first of May) on Oahu, the island's finest and most dedicated lei makers spend weeks gathering materials to craft what are undoubtedly among the world's most beautiful floral creations.

These wonderful lei are judged and prizes are awarded for the best in each category. The lei are presented on May Day for all to see.

What isn't as well known is that the following day, these exquisite lei are brought to the burial place of Hawaii's most revered alii (royalty from earlier times) and after a moving ceremony, they are placed on the tombs of these honored leaders. Also, these wonderful floral creations, which the day before were only observable from afar, are now able to be viewed up close, handled and appreciated in a far more intimate and multi-sensual way.

Interwoven with some state archival photos of lei making from times past. This segment is from Try Stay, a cable TV series shot, produced and aired exclusively in Hawaii principally for local residents.

Beautiful audio track, Pua 'A'ala by Roy Sowders, from his CD Kukuna Mehana used by permission.

Segment from Try Stay, cable TV series shot, produced and aired exclusively in Hawaii principally for local residents.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• flower
• flowers
• lei
• leis
• celebration
• May Day
• Hawaii
• Honolulu
• Oahu
• culture
• travel
• local style
• vacation
• jghaw

[natjaschon]

If you like leis, here's one that will never fade: mirabellesdesignshop.wordans.c­om/t-shirt-category/tropics-tr­opiques-t-shirts-7625

[sandyESSMAN1]

Beautifully moving tribute!

[puamelialei]

this comes from Switzerland...

[puamelialei]

I've been visiting the Hawai'i Islands from 1985 untill 2006 almost every year including Ni'ihau, I once flew from Moloka'i to Honolulu just for Lei Day. Then, walking along Kalakaua Avenue, a lady with a wonderful Lei crossed my way, stood in front of me, lifted her Lei from her shoulders and put it over my head on my shoulders, kissed me and said ALOHA, THIS IS FOR YOU, JUST BECAUSE IT'S LEI DAY AND I LIKE YOU... this happened 1985 and I still have this special Lei and memory HAWAI'I NO KA OI

[steam2020]

What a beautiful video! Mahalo for sharing, you brought Hawaii to California today!

[MonsoonalLizard]

Mahalo!!!!  What a heartfelt video. Aloha :)

[hulakaleo]

Mahalo for posting this is beatiful i can almost smell the leis..

[Gwenlj]

love this :) 5*****

[Auhana50]

I would like to thank you for posting this video. Why? because the little girl in the red dress and the lady next to her is my daughter and my wife. Video brings back fond memories. Aloha

[HawaiiArt]

Mahalos for the great content! This video is now playing on Hawaii Pictures (dot) com. Check the chat room on the bottom of the home page and feel free to embed it on your blog or site.