97th Annual Lei Day Celebration - May 1. 2025 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Waikiki

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97th Annual Lei Day Celebration - May 1. 2025 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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97th Lei Day Celebration!
Legacy event now offering “Meet the Masters” demonstration of elite lei-makers
Showcasing Hawai‘i’s vibrant traditions to inspire future generations. The 97th Lei Day Celebration will weave in new elements this year to progress the legacy of lei-making amidst the time-honored displays of this marquee event. Mayor Rick Blangiardi, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and the Royal Hawaiian Band welcome everyone to celebrate Native Hawaiian culture and all things lei at the Kapi‘olani Park on Thursday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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This year’s Lei Day theme of Hoʻokahi ka ʻilau like ʻana (Wield the paddles together), invites everyone to enjoy this free, family-friendly event throughout the namesake park of Queen Kapiʻolani Napelakapuokakaʻe.
A wide variety of events showcasing the skill and artistry of some of Hawai‘i’s lei makers, cultural practitioners, and performers will be on full display. Including an exciting new educational opportunity called “Meet the Masters”, where a select group of elite master lei makers will offer their knowledge and wisdom in a lei making demonstration. Click on the pictures of the program to see a more detailed itinerary of the 97th Lei Day Celebration! We hope to see you there!

Lei Day themes, featured flora based on voyaging proverbs in honor of Hōkūle‘a
Like a gardener tending their māla pua (flower garden) ahead of lei making, or the crew of a wa‘a (canoe) charting their course ahead of a voyage, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is pleased to announce the themes and featured flora for the Lei Day Celebrations through 2027!
Celebrated on first day of May, each annual Lei Day Celebration embraces a particular theme and coinciding flower or plant. In conjunction with the Hōkūle‘a’s Moananuiākea journey circumnavigating the Pacific Ocean, DPR has selected voyaging proverbs from Mary Kawena Pukui’s ‘Ōlelo No‘eau (Bishop Museum Press 1983) to guide the next Lei Day Celebration themes.

•   2025 (97th Celebration)
Theme: Hoʻokahi ka ʻilau like ʻana  (1068)
Translation: Wield the paddles together (work together)
Theme material: hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus)

•   2026 (98th Celebration)
Theme: Mai ka hoʻokuʻi i ka hālāwai (2059)
Translation: From zenith to horizon (invoking spirits from everywhere)
Theme material: ʻuala or sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

•   2027 (99th Celebration)
Theme: Pae mai la ka waʻa i ka ʻāina (2566)
Translation: The canoe has come ashore (satisfied hunger, desire)
Theme material: kou (Cordia subcordata
Lei Contest
The 2025 Lei Contest will showcase new categories, with lei primarily featuring the following color combinations:

•   Uliuli (blue)/‘Ōma‘oma‘o (green)

•   ‘Ula‘ula (red)/Palaunu (brown)

•   Melemele (yellow)/Poni (purple)

•   Ke‘oke‘o (white)/ ‘Alani (orange)

•   ‘Ākala (pink)/Hinahina (gray)
Those wishing to enter fresh flower lei for the contest must submit them between 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Lei Receiving Booth (by the Waikīkī Shell Box Office) on the day of the celebration.

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