LIHU‘E — The 33rd Lei Making contest will be one of the highlights of May Day festivities at the Kaua‘i Museum in Lihu‘e on Saturday.
Lei-making workshops, a silent auction and live entertainment will also be part of activities from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“This is one of our museum’s signature events,” said Melisa Paterson, Museum communications director. “Kaua‘i Museum is honored to be the standard bearer of this experience and as the bench mark event for Kaua‘i lei-makers.”
The day begins with receiving of lei entries on the front steps of the Museum at 6:30 a.m. Judging is between 8 and 9:30 a.m.
“This year we decided to do the opening ceremony to celebrate the history of the lei in Hawai‘i,” Paterson said. “It is a nice cultural piece regarding the traditional Hawaiian culture of leis and presentings by the island’s premier lei-makers.”
There were more than 90 entries in 2012 and organizers expect to surpass that on Saturday. Around 800 people attended the day-long event last year and organizers expect to exceed that number as well.
The craftsmanship and artistry of lei-making expresses the beauty of the island like nothing else, Paterson said. The time, effort, and dedication that goes into creating each lei is appreciated and admired with this May Day celebration.
“We look forward to having our museum transformed, once more, into a festive floral paradise,” she said.
Lei making contest founder Irma Lee Pomroy started the event 33 years ago. Considered a premier lei-maker, she was honored as a “Living Treasure” in 2002 and the museum has continue the contest to honor her legacy.
A Keiki la Lei contest is the newest addition to the annual event.
The children make their own leis and enter them in the contest. Participants are given a monetary award with additional prizes given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Lei-making is considered a unique island art form and a rich part of our Hawaiian heritage. The event is designed to preserve and pass on this cultural art to a new generation of lei-makers.
The $10 museum admission is waived for the day and the $5 donation at the door is appreciated. Guests will have their names entered for prize drawings throughout the day.
May Day Fair events outside the Museum include a free Aloha Lomi massage, food vendors, shaved ice, baked goods, and Hawaiian music.
The Museum will remain open until 5 p.m.
