In which US state is May 1 celebrated as Lei Day?

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In which US state is May 1 celebrated as Lei Day? Hawaii celebrates it as Lei Day.

Lei Day is a statewide celebration of Hawaiian culture held annually on May 1. The holiday links the international May Day date with the Hawaiian tradition of giving, wearing, and making leis as expressions of aloha, affection, welcome, remembrance, or friendship.

The first celebration was held in 1927, and the event was formally established as a holiday in 1929. Writer Grace Tower Warren helped popularize the May 1 date with the phrase “May Day is Lei Day.” Honolulu's main festivities later became associated with Kapi'olani Park and include music, hula, lei-making, competitions, and the selection of a Lei Day court.

A useful detail is that the islands have distinct symbolic colors and lei materials. Oahu is represented by the yellow ʻilima, while Hawaiʻi Island uses the red lehua. Lei Day is therefore more than a floral festival: it showcases the islands' varied identities within Hawaiian culture.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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