Stunning Lei from O‘ahu’s Lei Day Contest 2026
Hawai‘i lei makers once again graced the May Day lei contest with gorgeous submissions.
Melvin “Moki” Labra’s lei kui, winner of the 2026 Mayor’s Grand Prize. Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks & Rec
Puakenikeni, pua kalaunu, Pele’s hair, plumeria—the list goes on of the beautiful flowers featured as part of a lei-making contest at this year’s May 1 Lei Day Celebration. Hosted by the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at Kapi‘olani Park, this year’s event carried a theme of “Mai ka ho‘oku‘i a ka hālāwai,” translated to “from zenith to horizon.”
Some 145 entries were submitted across multiple categories. The four main divisions were lei lanakila mua (beginner), lei pāpale (hat lei), lei po‘omana‘o (lei featuring the theme material), and lei ‘aī‘aī (neck lei). First, second, and third-place winners were selected from each category, with a winning prize pool of nearly $5,400 split between every award. The day after the contest, lei were taken to the graves of Hawai‘i’s ali‘i at the Royal Mausoleum State Monument-Mauna ‘Ala.
Melvin “Moki” Labra’s lei kui, winner of the 2026 Mayor’s Grand Prize. Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks & Rec
Melvin “Moki” Tracy Labra won the Mayor’s Grand Prize for his gorgeous lei kui, made of hau, kī and tricolor dracaena.
See more of the beautiful lei on display at this year’s event.
SEE ALSO: Gorgeous Winning Lei from O‘ahu’s Lei Day Contest 2025
Esmé Betsch is the spring 2026 editorial intern for HONOLULU Magazine.
