For the first time in 80 years, the city's annual Lei Day Celebration Lei Contest will have a category for lei not made with flowers.

The lipine category will feature lei made out of ribbon, fabric or yarn, a trend in lei-making that could not be ignored any longer.

"It's just another way our culture is continuing," said Ka'iulani Vincent, culture and arts coordinator for the city's Department of Parks and Recreation. "There are new materials available other than flowers and leaves. It's just another way people are making lei."

More than 70 lei-makers are expected to participate in the contest, as part of the 80th annual Lei Day Celebration today at Kapi'olani Park.

The daylong event will feature live entertainment, craft and food booths, cultural demonstrations and keiki activities.

But the lei contest is the big draw, luring thousands of people every year to view the craftsmanship and art of this celebrated Hawaiian tradition.

"This is part of living in Hawai'i," said Ka'iulani de Silva, one of the lei contest judges and director of the education and consumer affairs division at Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc. "This is about being in a sense of place. It exemplifies what it means to live in Hawai'i. ... What would Lei Day be without lei?"

In addition to lei lipine, there are four other categories in the contest: 'a'i (using an island color), 'a'i na lei kukui (using the theme of kukui), lanakila mua (beginner) and papale (hat).

The winners of each category will be announced at noon today.

All of the lei will be on display from 1 to 5:30 p.m. in the area between the Kapi'olani Park bandstand and the Waikiki Shell.

Dean Harvest, 52, of Wahiawa, has competed in this annual contest for years. This year, however, he's serving as a judge.

He, along with the other judges, will be looking carefully at the craftsmanship, use of flowers, color coordination, wearability and consistency of pattern in each lei. They'll even consider how the fragrance of the flowers work together in the lei.

Harvest will quickly admit it's no easy task.

"Every year there's something new, someone's come up with something that captures your eye," said Harvest, who's been crafting lei for 30 years, using mostly flowers and plants he grows himself. "The hardest part for me is selecting a favorite."

De Silva said she's always amazed at the creativity of the lei — and especially the materials these lei-makers use.

One year a contestant managed to incorporate a tree fungus into the lei.

"Every single thing you see around you, they use in lei," de Silva said.

This year, however, there may not be as many entries using plumeria and pikake, as growers say the rainy weather last year delayed their blooming.

But, as in years past, the judges expect a colorful range of flowers and plants, including orchids, 'ilima, lehua, ginger, chrysanthemum, crown flower, Spanish moss and stephanotis.

"The only lei that's a winner is the one that's been submitted," said Harvest, who makes up to 300 lei a year. "No matter what, your lei will be admired by someone."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.