May Day Celebrations At The Westin Maui Resort & Spa With Aloha Lei Day Festivities And The Longest Lei Exchange!
Lei Day is on May 1st and is a statewide cultural celebration in Hawaii. At The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, May Day festivities will include the Longest Lei Exchange in Ka’anapali as a unique experience and an attempt to set a record, with 500+ persons targeted to be in attendance. The significance of presenting a lei speaks to the authenticity and practice of Hawaiians in celebrating an occasion. Known as the spirit of Aloha, the lei exchange by two persons symbolizes the love, respect and friendship shared between them – whether they are family members, couples or friends.
It was established as a holiday in the year of 1929 and continues to this day. Lei Day, being traditionally diverse, attracts people from all around, to experience the day. People commonly celebrate by giving gifts of leis to one another. Each island has its own symbol that is composed of a color and a flower. Maui is pink, Oahu is yellow, Molokai is green, Lanai is orange, Kahoolawe is gray, Kauai is purple, and Niihau is white. In the same order, the flowers are lokelani, ilima, kukui, kaunaoa, hinahina, mokihana, and a pupu shell.
Pamakane Pico of Ocean Dreamer Florals has designed nine special leis that highlight the diversity of Maui’s scenic settings and experiences featuring locations such as Haleakala, Kula, Hana, Paia, Iao Valley, Makawao, Ulupalakua, Honolua Bay and Kaanapali. Images of the leis will be unveiled one per day via the resort’s FB & Instagram @TheWestinMaui beginning on Aloha Friday, April 21.
Recognizing the importance of preserving Hawaiian culture, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa is also committing $2,500.00 to benefit the cause of Na Leo Kalele that supports Kula Kaiapuni O Maui Ma Nahienaena, a Hawaiian language immersion school located within Princess Nahienaena public school in Lahaina, Maui. Considered a school within a school, Kula Kaiapuni O Maui Ma Nahienaena is unique in that it utilizes Hawaii’s indigenous language, culture, perspectives, and practices to implement its curriculum.
The event is open to everyone including resort guests, local residents and island visitors. For more details on participation and sign-up in the Lei Exchange, visit the resort’s FB @TheWestinMaui or sign-up online – http://leidaywestinmaui.eventbrite.com. Free parking is available during the event hours at Whalers Village, neighboring The Westin Maui.
