2026 May Day Lei Competition

“May Day is Lei Day” is a celebration of Lei that has been going on for 95 years here in Hawaiʻi. May 1 is a day we wear fresh flower lei to celebrate the tradition of wearing lei in the islands. We invite you to participate in this year's lei-making contest and showcase your lei-making talents. We are excited to see the creative and artistic creations of the entries.

CATEGORIES:

• Fresh Lei – Fresh Flowers, Foliage, Leaves, Ferns
• Flowers Only Lei – Fresh flowers of any type or combination and style
• Ti Leaf Lei – Made exclusively from ti leaf plant.
• Red Lei – Must use red plants or materials on 80% of the lei.

PRIZES: 

• $200.00 First Place
• $150.00 Second Place 
• $100.00 Third Place

 ADDITIONAL PRIZES:

• $200.00 - Most popular lei (chosen by the visitors to Hawaiʻi village, Day of competition)
• $200.00 - Presidentʻs Choice lei (chosen by the President of the Polynesian Cultural Center)

REGISTRATION:

$10.00 registration fee per lei entered.

Registration time – 10am -12 pm, Friday, May 1, 2026 at Gate 6A(see Map)

Registration form and $10.00 fee per lei entry, due at time of registration.

All leis must be at least 24 inches in length and wearable.

DOWNLOAD YOUR ENTRY FORM AND CONTEST RULES NOW!

Download Registration Form