It was Don Blanding who first came up with the idea of celebrating the Hawaiian tradition of giving lei with a special day. It was columnist Grace Tower Warren who publicly suggested that day should be May Day.
But it was Leonard "Red" Hawk and his wife, Ruth, who put the words on the lips of generations of Hawai'i residents with their song "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii."
The composition originally was presented in 1928 as a foxtrot but was later rearranged as a Hawaiian mele for hula.
Hawk was one of dozens of entertainers recruited for the Waikiki music scene by legendary musician and musical director Johnny Noble in the 1930s.
Leonard and Ruth penned another well-loved Hawaiian holiday song: "Christmas Luau."
MAY DAY IS LEI DAY IN HAWAII
May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii
Garlands of flowers everywhere
All of the colors in the rainbow
Maidens with blossoms in their hair
Flowers that mean we should be happy
Throwing aside a load of care
Oh, May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii
May Day is happy days out there
— "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii," by Leonard "Red" Hawk and Ruth Hawk
|
