Lei Day . Org

Traditional chants and modern songs tell about the lei, children are named for lei, and no occasion is complete without them.

More than flowers on a string, lei are an important part of Hawaiian cultural heritage, and the vocabulary of the lei informs much of Hawaiian poetry, philosophy, and world view. In this month’s Ma Lalo o ka Pō Lani evening cultural program, Leilehua Yuen, author of Hua ʻŌlelo Lei, talks about the literal and symbolic language of the lei, as well as how the lei is a metaphor for the ecosystem of Hawaiʻi.

She and her husband Manu Josiah also will share stories, chants, songs, and hula of the lei, Hawai`i’s iconic garland.

This Saturday’s program begins at 6:00 pm in the Presentation Room of the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station / Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. Phone: (808) 961-2180 Fax: (808) 969-4892

After this one hour program, please join the star party at the visitor center!

Each month, Hawaiian Cultural Practitioners share perspectives on an aspect of Hawaiian culture, history, and or arts relating to the natural history of Maunakea. The “Malalo o ka Po Lani” cultural program is held on the fourth Saturday of every month in the Ellison Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station’s presentation room at the 9,300 ft elevation on Mauna Kea. For more information on programs at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station please visit our web site: www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis or call us at (808) 961-2180.

Please feel free to share this e-mail with anyone you think may be interested!

Mahalo and aloha!

Image of Kaʻula Island by Xpda

“A lei is not just flowers strung on a thread. A lei is a tangible representation of aloha in which symbols of that aloha are carefully sewn or woven together to create a gift. This gift tells a story of the relationship between the giver and the recipient. many things can make up a lei. One can string flowers, seeds, shells, or berries into a lei. One can weave vines and leaves into a lei. One can weave words into a poem or song, which is then a lei. The ultimate expression of a lei is kamalei – the child which represents the intertwining of aloha between the parents.”

The theme for our Lei Day festival is “He Mo`olelo ko ka Lei,” A Story of the Lei. This theme was selected to help us to remember that each lei tells a story, perhaps of farewell, of return, or a job well done. . . but always, the story is of love.

The Hilo Lei Day Festival is held on May 1 at Kalākaua Park in Downtown Hilo.

Please check back frequently, as we will be adding much more to our site!