Lei Day Heritage Festival

Since time immemorial, Hawaiians have crafted leis as a cherished symbol of love, respect, and celebration, adorning themselves and their loved ones with these fragrant garlands for everyday wear and special occasions alike. It's a tradition deeply ingrained in the cultural tapestry of Hawaii, woven into the fabric of daily life and marking significant rites of passage and celebrations.

Originating in 1927 as a heartfelt tribute to the iconic Hawaiian lei, this beloved day has blossomed into a cherished annual celebration that honors the essence of aloha.

Give a lei, wear a lei, make a lei!

Lei Day Festival 2024

At our museum, we invite you to delve into the spirit and significance of Lei Day through interactive exhibits, cultural demonstrations, and special events. Join us as we explore the origins of this cherished celebration, learn about the traditions of lei-making, and discover the timeless allure of the lei as a symbol of love, friendship, and connection.

2024 Lei Contest Winners

Become captivated by the beauty and diversity of these stunning creations, and let the lei's timeless allure transport you to the heart of Hawai'i's vibrant traditions.

Community Choice Winner
Britney Alejo-Fishell

Selected by popular vote from our cherished community, crafted by Britney, Founder of Haku Maui, this lei represents Wao Nahele, our home, with native plants gathered from Makawao to the slopes of Haleakalā to Kanaio. Lei Wili using Maiʻa as the base of our lei and Hau fibers to bind the lei, made of Pukiawe, ʻAʻaliʻi, ʻŪlei, ʻŌhelo, Palapalai.

Fresh Floral Winner
Miki Poaipuni

Selected by our fabulous judges, crafted by Miki Poaipuni from Kula, this kui lei is made of Pua Kalaunu. Miki has been the champion of the Fresh Floral Category for a couple years with us! Congratulations again!

Fresh Floral Honorable Mention
Laila Mehwa Reiss

Crafted by Laila Mehwa Reiss, this lei wili is made of Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli), 'Ohi'a lehua alani (Metrosideros polymorpha), Pohinahina (Vitex rotundifolia), Moa (Psilotum nudum), Palapalai (Microlepia strigosa).

The indigenous symbolism of these flowers is intriguing - a beautiful story of resilience. Its legend tells about a young woman with a beautiful voice who would sing to the animals and plants in the forest.

One day, her people were attacked by Spanish colonialists. Anahi, the young woman, was captured, tied to a tree, and burned alive. While burning, she sang, asking for divine protection for her people and their homeland. In the morning, instead of ashes, where she burned, bloomed a beautiful coral tree, red like flames, a symbol of strength, courage, and bravery.

Natural Materials Winner
Stephanie D Franco

Crafted by Stephanie, this lei wrap is made of ti-leaf, pheasant feathers, false koa pods, dried pincushion protea flowers, coconut leaf, African-Oil Palm fronds, and raffia. This lei is meant to be worn from left shoulder to right hip with tie in back.

Natural Materials Honorable Mention
Chelsey Borges

Crafted by Chelsey, this lei po’o wili is made of dried ti leaf, fern, babies breath, hydrangea, song of India leaves, white and purple statice, peles hair and pin cushion protea.

Recycled Materials Winner
Henry Kaholokula

Crafted by Uncle Noeau, this ku’i lei is made of folded Recycled 90's Era Hawaiian Airlines Postcard. Excellent show of creativity, and a good use for advertisements!

Recycled Materials Honorable Mention
Lauren Nelson

Crafted by Lauren, this lei ku’i pololei, she created flowers from recycled egg cartons and was inspired by the colors and shapes of Puakenikeni when painting and shaping the flowers. She used recycled cordage to string the lei.

Special Heartfelt Mention
Joanne Carter

My intentions for this lei is to showcase “resilience, strength, and healing” that the people of Maui are going through. I am making ti leaf rosettes that will represent the lokelani rose for Maui. It can also be vulnerable and beautiful like the lokelani. What I love about this lei is that it can be used for a very long time! It dries beautifully and can be repurposed for many other ways of adornment. Just like the people of Maui, we can adapt and move forward to new opportunities as time passes.

2024 Lei Contestants
Mahalo for Participating!

  • Lei Contest 2024

    From vibrant florals to recycled treasures, each lei tells a story of creativity, craftsmanship, and the enduring spirit of aloha.

  • Jocelyn Costa - Lei Haku

    Fern, ti leaf, orchid, banana leaf Lei, complete th hat display!

  • Jocelyn Costa - Lei Hilo

    Crafted with care and reverence, this lei intertwines the timeless elegance of Ti leaves with the coastal charm of sea grapes and the delicate beauty of hinahina.

  • Maricel Wise - Lei Po'o Wili

    "Wild Maui" Ti leaves from Hana, Blue Jade and Protea from Kula, Crown Flower and croton from Kihei, Pele's hair from Wailuku

  • Alana Kaopuiki-Pellegrino - Lei Hili/Ku'i

    Native species of plants and flowers grown on our farm in Waikapū, including ko’oloa ‘ula.

  • Kekoa Dettloff - Lei Wili

    Crafted with nou, raffia, lehua, 'ulei, a'ali'i, kupukapa, and mock orange.

  • Valerie Dettloff - Lei Wili

    Crafted with ti leaves, pele’s hair, ferns, and flowers from Haiku.

  • Joanne Carter - Lei Wili

    Crafted with iliac, 'a'all'i, ki' yellow & green, palapalai, hawaiian tree fern, u'ūlei.

  • Railee Jane Carter - Lei Kai

    Ko’oloa ‘ula (red Ilima) is native to Hawaii’s dry forests and is found in the wild on Lanai, East Maui and Hawaii.

  • Chelsey Borges - Lei Ku'i

    Crafted with white crown flower and kou flowers.

  • Miona Morgan - Ku'i Polo Lei, petal lei

    Crafted with Pua Kalaunu petals, and using straight and weaving patterns. Working with crown flower petals is extremely delicate and time consuming work, and here the petals come together beautifully!

  • Kali Arce - Lei Wili

    Crafted with banana husk, ti leaves, amauʻu fern leaves, kaunaoa, ʻohiʻa lehua. Lehua mamo and red ohiʻa symbolize Hawaiian lovers at sunset portrayed by the kaunaoa. Their tight embrace is indicated by the ti leaf rose.

  • Lori Apo - Lei Ku'i

    Crafted with kukui nut, flowers, and ferns.

  • Hiromi Yamaguchi - Lei Hilo/Wili

    Crafted ih ti leaves nd hibiscus. (I’m excited and eager, my first time to see and participate!)

  • Danielle Kincaid - Lei Ku'i

    Crafted with polymer clay and pear wood. All petals and flowers are formed and made by hand.

  • Henry Kaholokula - Lei Ku'i

    Crafted with folded Paper, sungi fishingline, ribbon, purple crown flower.

  • Henry Kaholokula - Lei Ku'i

    Crafted with ribbon and Kukui shells.

  • Henry Kaholokula - Lei Ku'i

    Crafted with Recycled Hilo Hatties Advertisement Cards.

  • Henry Kaholokula - Samoan Tie

    Crafted with Kukui Leaves.

  • Keāliapaʻaikeauhou Pellegrino - Lei Ku'i

    Crafed with Pua nāʻū - endemic Hawaiian gardenia grown at Nohoʻana Farm.

  • Aunty Doll Aricayos - Lei Ku'i

    Crafted with seeds and coconut shells.

  • Greg West - Lei Ku'i/Wili

    Crafted with Wailuku kukui'ula, kohala pukashell, freshwater pearls.

  • Jubilee Pali-Kaneakua - Lei Ku'i

    Crafted with song India leaves, each leaf is picked, washed, twisted and strung.