95th Annual Lei Day Celebration, May 1, 2023, at Kapi’olani Park.

In addition to Hawaiian entertainment, shows and exhibitions, the celebration included a lei competition that showcased some of the most exquisitely crafted leis in a variety of colors and methods.

The first Lei Day was celebrated on May 1, 1927 with a few people wearing lei in downtown Honolulu. Over time, more and more people began to wear lei on May 1, and thus began the tradition of “May Day is Lei Day in Hawai‘i.”