More than 200 lei — from master crafters and amateurs alike — are entered in the Lei Contest each year at Kapiolani Park.
Lei Day at Kapiolani Regional Park is the single best place on Oʻahu to learn lei-making from the people who practice it year-round. The catch? It happens one day a year — May 1. If your trip doesn’t line up, the free Ward Centre workshop on May 2 is a solid backup, but the main event at the park is where you’ll find the deepest community roots, the widest variety of materials, and the most experienced teachers.
Families with kids 3–7
Culture-focused travelers
First-time visitors to Oʻahu
Every elementary school kid in Hawaii learns the phrase “May Day is Lei Day” — a tradition that started in 1927 when Honolulu newspaperman Don Blanding first proposed a day celebrating lei. The first official Lei Day followed in 1928, and the celebration has run almost every year since. For visitors, Lei Day at Kapiolani Regional Park offers the best chance to learn lei-making from local crafters, surrounded by the community that has kept this tradition alive for nearly a century.
The research supports one clear path: show up on May 1, spend a few hours at Kapiolani Park, learn to string an orchid lei, and let your kids experience a Hawaiian holiday as locals actually celebrate it. Expect more Hawaiian and pidgin than English, real lei made from local materials, and hula performed by halau that have trained all year. This isn’t a tourist production — it’s a community gathering that happens to welcome visitors.
| Event | Location | Date & Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lei Day at Kapiolani Park | Kapiolani Regional Park, 2882 Kalakaua Avenue | Fri May 1, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Free | Full lei-making experience, families, all ages |
| Ward Centre Workshop | Ward Centre, next to Fat Cheeks Hawaiʻi | Sat May 2 | Free | Quiet setting, older kids and adults |
| Lā Mei Mākeke | Kaimana Beach Hotel | Fri May 1 | Free entry | Shopping, live music, cocktails |
Lei Day at Kapiolani Regional Park
This is where you’ll spend the bulk of your day. The lei-making workshops are the draw — tables set up with fresh flowers, needles, and thread, staffed by people who have been making lei for decades. You string your own orchid lei under their guidance, and you walk away wearing something you made yourself. No booking required, no fee, just show up and join.
Parking is the main friction point. Free spaces inside the park are limited; side streets around the zoo and Waikiki Shell usually have spots if you arrive before 10 a.m. After that, plan to park in Waikiki and walk five to ten blocks. The entire event is free, so you’re trading parking convenience for a zero-cost entry.
Food vendors are on-site but pricey. For sit-down meals, Kona Coffee Purveyors at International Market Place works if the line isn’t out the door. Hau Tree at Kaimana Beach Hotel, two blocks away, has an outdoor lanai with kid-friendly options. Marugame Udon at Kuhio and Liliuokalani is the locals’ go-to for cheap, fast udon. For shave ice on the way out, Waiola Shave Ice at 525 Kapahulu is the gold standard.
Kapiolani Park has little shade in open areas — the big monkeypod trees line the perimeter. Claim a spot near the trees early, bring a sand-proof picnic blanket, and set up before the crowd builds. The grass is often damp until mid-morning due to morning dew and sprinklers, so a waterproof layer under your blanket makes a real difference.
The Lei Contest
The Lei Contest is where you see what’s possible when skill and creativity meet local materials. More than 200 entries fill the display area — some made by master lei makers who have been practicing for decades, others by first-time entrants. The 2026 theme plant is the uala, the Hawaiian sweet potato, and the official theme is “Mai ka hookui a ka halawai,” translating to “from zenith to horizon.” Many entries feature uala leaves and vines woven into the designs.
Auntie Kalei has entered the kupuna haku category three years running and received an honorable mention the previous year — the kind of detail that makes the contest feel like a community showcase rather than a competition. Walk the tent slowly with your kids and read the description cards together. It’s a quiet, thoughtful break from the energy of the main festival grounds.
Ward Centre Lei-Making Workshop
If you miss Lei Day on Friday or want a second round of hands-on practice, the Ward Centre workshop on Saturday is a quieter alternative. It’s free, materials are provided, and local musician Paʻahana plays live while you work. The setting is more compact than Kapiolani Park — a retail center rather than a sprawling park — but the focused format means you can sit down, string a lei from start to finish, and leave with a finished piece in under an hour.
This workshop works well for older kids and adults who want to concentrate on technique without the sensory overload of the main festival. It’s also a good option if your family arrives on Oʻahu on Friday and can’t make the Kapiolani Park event in time.
Practical Section: What You Need to Know Before You Go
The difference between a good Lei Day and a frustrating one comes down to a few pieces of gear and a realistic timeline.
What to Bring
Kapiolani Park has little shade in open areas; the big monkeypod trees line the perimeter. Sunscreen, hats, and water are essential. Pack reef-safe mineral sunscreen — the author of the primary research source uses Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 and reapplies at least twice. A SwimZip wide-brim sun hat with a chin strap stays on a four-year-old’s head in trade winds. Bring a sand-proof picnic blanket for lawn seating near the bandstand and lightweight folding beach chairs for older kids who won’t want to sit on the ground all day.
Reusable water bottles are a must; vendors sell water but the lines get long. The research source uses a Fimibuke insulated bottle two-pack and refills at public fountains. Bathrooms are at the zoo entrance, Waikiki Shell, and public comfort stations near the bandstand. Strollers roll fine on paved paths. Stroller parking is informal — keep an eye on your stroller and snacks because chickens may take food from blankets.
Bring cash and a card. Most vendors take Square, but small craft tents are sometimes cash-only. Food trucks are pricey, so pack a small snack bag for toddlers who won’t wait in line.
Age-by-Age Strategy
Babies and toddlers under 3: Aim for the morning. Expect to make one lei together, take a photo, and move on. Naptime by 1 p.m. means heading home by 12:30 p.m.
Preschool to early elementary (3–7): This is the ideal age. Kids this age can string a flower lei with help, watch hula, eat shave ice, and run around. Plan a long lunch break around noon when their attention starts to fade.
Older kids (8–12): They’ll appreciate the Lei Contest. Walk the contest tent slowly and read the description cards — many entries feature uala leaves and vines, and the cards explain the materials and technique.
Teens: Hula halau performances run all afternoon and become more advanced as the day goes on. The 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. slots feature competition-level halau. Grab shave ice and watch from a shady spot.
The free parking inside Kapiolani Park fills fast — arriving after 10 a.m. means you’ll park in Waikiki and walk five to ten blocks. Also, the grass is often damp until mid-morning due to dew and sprinklers, so a waterproof layer under your picnic blanket is worth the extra bag space.
- Lei Day at Kapiolani Park on May 1 is the main event — free, family-friendly, and the best place to learn lei-making from local practitioners.
- Arrive before 10 a.m. for parking within the park; after that, park in Waikiki and walk.
- Kids ages 3–7 get the most out of the day, but there are entry points for every age group.
- The Ward Centre workshop on May 2 is a good backup if you miss Friday or want a quieter setting.
Before You Go — Lei Day on Oʻahu
Is Lei Day free to attend?
Yes. The main event at Kapiolani Regional Park is completely free — no tickets, no entry fee, no registration required. The Ward Centre workshop on May 2 is also free.
What’s the worst time to arrive?
After 10 a.m. on May 1. Free parking inside the park fills by then, and you’ll need to park in Waikiki and walk five to ten blocks. Morning is also cooler and the grass is still drying off.
Can my toddler actually make a lei?
With help, yes. The workshops provide materials and guidance, and a toddler can string a few flowers onto a needle with adult assistance. Plan to make one lei together, take a photo, and head home before naptime hits around 12:30 p.m.
Is this event just for tourists?
No. Lei Day is a community event that locals attend genuinely — expect more Hawaiian and pidgin than English, real lei made from local materials, and authentic hula. Visitors are welcome, but the event isn’t built around them.
What should I do if I can’t make May 1?
The Ward Centre workshop on May 2 is the next best option. You can also check craft classes on Oʻahu through Viator for year-round lei-making opportunities, though availability varies and most aren’t free.
Heads up: some links here are affiliate links — costs you nothing extra. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
The Tradition Behind the Flowers
Lei Day started almost 100 years ago when a few people wore lei through Downtown Honolulu on May 1, 1927. A year later it became official, and it has run almost every year since — outlasting wars, economic shifts, and a pandemic. That unbroken chain is what makes the experience different from a resort craft class. You’re not just making a flower necklace; you’re stepping into a practice that generations of Hawaii residents have kept alive because they believe it matters. The phrase “May Day is Lei Day” isn’t a tourism slogan — it’s something local kids learn in elementary school, recite at May Day pageants, and carry with them long after they leave the islands. Learning to hula in Hawaii follows a similar thread — both traditions reward the visitor who shows up ready to participate rather than just watch.
References
Aloha Mom. “May Day is Lei Day: Hawaii Family Celebrations & Lei Making Workshops.” Aloha Mom, 2026. ↗
Aloha State Daily. “10 Things to Do for Lei Day 2026.” Aloha State Daily, April 23, 2026. ↗
If you’re building a longer Oʻahu itinerary around cultural experiences, pair Lei Day with a quieter morning exploring the hidden beaches and local hangouts beyond Waikiki, or plan a full island-hopping trip using a 7-day itinerary for thrill-seekers that balances active adventures with cultural stops like this one.
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