Hone Your Lei-Making Skills With Free Workshops

Get ready for Lei Day with free workshops around town.

Photo: Dave Miyamoto & Co.

Each year on May Day, crowds gather at Kapi‘olani Park to celebrate a Hawai‘i tradition: Lei Day. While the celebration is filled with entertainment, a pageant ceremony, and various craft and food booths, the main attraction is more than 100 gorgeous and fragrant lei on display in the annual lei contest. This year, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation wants to help you learn or improve your lei-making skills with free workshops around O‘ahu.

With this year’s theme, Lei Momi (pearl lei or luminous lei), in mind, people of all ages and skill levels are welcome to sign up for workshops that focus on different methods and materials. Most take place in the week leading up to the contest; participants are welcome to submit the lei they create to the contest. Afterward, all lei will be taken to Mauna ‘Ala, the Royal Mausoleum.

The first workshop, which focuses on ti-leaf lei, takes place March 5. Register now by finding the workshop schedule and other information at honolulu.gov/parks.

Did you know? The 88th Annual Lei Day Celebration is May 1, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at Kapi‘olani Park.

This article appears in the March 2015 issue of HONOLULU Magazine.