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Lei Day
Lei day is a state wide celebration in all of Hawai'i. The celebration begins in the morning of May first every year and continues throughout the entire day and even continues onto the next day. Lei day was established as a holiday in the year of 1929 and continues to this day. Each Hawaiian island has a different type of lei that is used for the celebration and for it's people to wear around. The festivities have consistently gotten bigger and bigger each year and the state of Hawai'i has had to move the location of the event. Lei day was first held in the Courts and Town Halls but has since been moved to Kapi'olani park where it is still being held today.

About the Islands
Lei day in the state of Hawai'i has a very rich and colorful history that can be admired by many. Each island in Hawai'i has a special flower that represents that specific island. The island of Maui's flower is called the Lokelani and is pink. The island of O'ahu their flower is called the 'Ilima. The Ilima's color is golden and can be seen all across the island. The next island is called Moloka'i and it's flower is named the Kukui and it has a green color to it. A smaller island named Lana'i houses a grassy flower called Kauna'o which is a yellow color. We then proceed to the island of Kaho'olawe and it's flower Hinahina has a silver gray color across the top. The final two islands have very unique sets of flowers. Kaua'i is very plentiful of the flower mokihana in a beautiful green color. The final island of Ni'ihau's flower is actually a shell called Pupu.

Becoming Official
1929 was the date that Lei Day was officially recognized by the Queen as a holiday. However, this first celebration of this event was in the year of 1927. The first celebration was held at the bank of Hawai'i, then moved to town hall, and finally moved to Kapi'olani park. In 1928 writer Don Blanding wrote an article in the local newspaper stating that there should be a holiday celebrated around he wearing and production of Lei's.

When it's Celebrated
Traditionally held on May 1st beginning at 9:00a.m. The event lasts all through the day and ends at 5:30p.m. May 2nd is the Contest Lei which is held for all public to see. It was writer Grace Tower Warren that finally suggested that Lei Day be celebrated on May first which is in conjugation with May Day. She was coined in saying, " May day is Lei day."

Differences in Lei's
Each island of Hawai'i has a specific Lei which makes great variety in the Lei's being produced from each part of Hawai'i. The island of Kauai's lei is actually a type of fruit. These purple berries are strung around and leave a blossoming smell that can only be found on this island. Kaho'olawe's is called hinahina and this is found on the beaches of Kaho`olawe, the stems and flowers of this plant are twisted together to be formed.The next island of Lanai has a kaunaoa Lei. The light orange thin strands of vine are gathered in groups and twisted together to form. The big island of Maui houses the lokelani Lei. It's color is pink and is sweet scented and very fragile. Molokai is home to the kukui. The leaves are mostly silver green and combined together to be made into a Lei. Ni'ihau is a smaller island, but is very plentiful of pupu. White pupu shells have to be pierced to make holes to be strung into a Lei. The last island called O'ahu has the `Ilima flower. This yellow lei is very thin and even more fragile. This specific Lei is often called the "Royal Lei" because in the past it was worn by high chieftains.

Reference List
Carr, Gerald. Honolulu.gov/parks. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. Fischer, John. "Lei Day in Hawaii." About.com Hawaii Travel. About.com, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.