Hilo Lei Day Festival 2019

Hilo Lei Day Festival, 1 May 2018
Hilo Lei Day Festival, 1 May 2019

E komo mai! Join us at the Hilo Lei Day Festival on Tuesday, May 1, 2018!

Lei Day Parking Map
Hilo Lei Day Festival Parking map – We recommend parking in the ma kai lot by Moʻoheau Park and Bus Terminal. Check out the many shops and places to eat on your way to Kalākaua Park. All of Downtown Hilo is smaller than many malls, so the walking is easy! The Palace Theater will be showing short movie clips about our history and culture of the lei – stop in! Hula at the Moʻoheau Bandstand from 11:00 am – Noon. So much to do in Hilo on Lei Day! Kalākaua Street between Keawe and Kinoʻole will be closed from 3:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1. Handicap parking will be available within the closed area. Just show your placard, and you will be directed to the reserved area. 

Music

Lei Day Festival Schedule

09:00 Opening Ceremonies
09:30 Floral Court
11:00 Special Presentations:
12:00
15:00 Pau

People often ask us why we do not hold The Hilo Lei Day Festival on a Saturday or Sunday. There are several reasons.

When we began in 2005, co-founders Aunty Nona Beamer and Leilehua Yuen decided that since May Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi, they would keep the May 1 date to honor that tradition.

They soon found that it actually had a practical benefit. Many people work weekends, and are unable to attend a lot of festivals and celebrations. With a festival that slides across the week, everyone gets a chance to come every few years – no matter what days they work!

Visitors to the islands also have said how much they appreciate a midweek event, because many fly in on Sunday, and fly out Saturday morning.

If you are looking for lei making resources, please purchase through our links, and help keep our site on-line!

Mahalo to Basically Books for their Support!

Basically Books
Basically Books – Hilo’s go-to store for books on Hawaiʻi!