"May Day is Lei Day in Hawai'i"

The phrase, "May Day is Lei Day in Hawai'i" was coined by Grace Tower Warren, who is credited along with poet, Don Blanding, for establishing Lei Day as a holiday held on May 1. It celebrates the Hawaiian lei-making and lei-wearing custom and many local governments and schools in Hawaii celebrate May Day. At the schools, May Day features a "royal" court, where students elected as princes and princesses don leis representing each of the eight Hawaiian islands. Now how does this relate to weddings, you ask?

If looking ahead to a wedding in early May, keep in mind that the demand for leis increases, thus driving up their cost. Today, for example, a Micronesian ginger lei, which normally sells for $10 at Lin's Lei Shop, is now $18, and prices should remain high 'til Mother's Day, which is when lei prices traditionally hit their all-time-high. Be prepared to spend a little more for your leis, or choose alternatives, such as boutonnieres and corsages, if wanting to avoid the inflated lei prices. Happy Lei Day!

Groom and groomsmen wearing maile-pikake leis. Groomsmen in middle carrying Micronesian ginger leis wrapped with ilima. Groomsmen on right carrying multi-colored cigar leis. Photo by Visionari.

Mother of the bride wearing a Maunaloa lei. Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

May Day in Hawai'i

Photo courtesy of Christie Pham.

Traditionally, May Day in Hawai'i is May 1. This day was meant to celebrate the Hawaiian customs of making and wearing leis. There is even a song many Hawaii locals know called, "May Day is Lei Day in Hawai'i." On this day, many festivities are held, including lei contests in schools, a Lei Day celebration at Queen Kapi'olani Park in Waikiki, and May Day celebrations at elementary schools.
Clearly, leis are an important part of this day, which also means that florists may be either busy due to a higher demand and/or prices for leis may increase due to the multiple events during this time. Often times, many weddings in Hawaii will have at least one lei involved, whether it is a maile lei for the groom or multiple leis for the VIPs of the wedding like the parents of the wedding couple. With a higher demand, lei prices could increase, which is something to consider when choosing a wedding date or what flowers to use at the wedding.

( Photo on left by Andrew Cha. Photo on right by Kris Labang Photography.)