Posted on: Tuesday, April 24, 2001

It's official: New law says May 1 is 'Lei Day'

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

The Legislature has had its say: So get out that lei in May.

The long-held custom of recognizing May 1 as "Lei Day" has become law.

Gov. Ben Cayetano last week signed a bill officially making every May 1 "May Day is Lei Day" — a day celebrating the making, giving and wearing of lei with lei exhibits, school performances and other festivities surrounding Hawaiian culture.

The territory of Hawai'i celebrated "May Day is Lei Day" for the first time May 1, 1928. The next year Gov. Wallace R. Farrington signed a Lei Day proclamation urging residents to "observe the day and honor the traditions of Hawai'i Nei by wearing and displaying lei."

So why make May Day a law?

"Due to its long history, the Legislature finds that it is fitting to honor this festive, nostalgic, and meaningful day," the bill states.

Because Hawai'i schools, organizations and residents have already been celebrating "May Day is Lei Day" for decades, the new law probably won't change much.

But some students and workers may be disappointed in what it specifically doesn't change: "this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday."