2026 May Day Celebration
Lei Pili ʻOhana: A Treasure of Family Lei
Celebrate Lei Day at OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort

This year's Lei Day theme, Lei Pili ʻOhana, honors the lei that bind us through family, memory, and shared experience. In Hawaiʻi, lei carry stories—of relationships, place, and the aloha that connects people across generations.

Celebrate with a full day of cultural experiences, including artisan pop‑ups, hands‑on workshops, live music and hula, and a community lei exhibit and lei contest. From personal family lei to newly created designs, the celebration reflects the artistry, intention, and ʻike kupuna at the heart of Lei Day.

Event Highlights

• Live lei‑making demonstrations and hands‑on cultural experiences
• ʻOhana Lei Exhibit featuring family and personal lei with community stories
• Lei Competition with two judged categories
• People's Choice voting, open to all attendees
• Cultural performances, live music, and hula throughout the day

Maui residents: You are invited to participate by entering a lei into the exhibit or contest.

FULL EVENT SCHEDULE

Aloha Makers Market - Lei-Making, Culture & Talk Story
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Resort Lobby
Explore a curated gathering of Maui artisans, cultural practitioners, and community organizations sharing their craft and traditions. Enjoy fresh lei, and handcrafted goods, while enjoying cultural demonstrations by Kamahiwa Kawaʻa, ʻAhahui Kaʻahumanu Chapter IV, and the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club.

Hands‑on experiences include lei making, feather lei artistry, and ulana lau niu (coconut leaf weaving), with opportunities to talk story and learn from practitioners carrying forward ʻike kūpuna. Enjoy live music by Reiko Fukino from 9am to 10am. 
No reservation required.

E Kui A Lei - Lei‑Making Experience
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Hele On
Create your own fresh floral lei with guidance from the resort's cultural specialists. Materials provided while supplies last. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Lei Pili ʻOhana — ʻOhana Lei Exhibit & Lei Contest
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | ʻOhana Room
Experience Lei Pili ʻOhana, a shared celebration of lei as expressions of connection, memory, and aloha. The ʻOhana Room brings together two distinct presentations—a non-judged family lei exhibit and a judged Lei Contest—offering a deeper understanding of both the personal and artistic traditions of lei.

ʻOhana Lei Exhibit (Display Only) - Family and personal lei shared by the community for cultural exhibition and appreciation. Exhibit lei are not judged.

Lei Competition (Judged Entries) - Newly created lei evaluated by a panel of cultural practitioners in two categories: Fresh Floral Lei and Recycled / Non‑Floral Lei

All competition entries are eligible for: Category Awards, People's Choice Award & Best in Show

People's Choice Voting
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | ʻOhana Room
All are invited to view the exhibit and competition displays and vote for their favorite competition lei to help select this year's People's Choice Award recipient.

Aloha Friday Performance & Category Lei Awards
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Resort Lawn
Celebrate Lei Day with live Hawaiian mele and hula performed by resort hosts and community members.

During this presentation, category award winners will be announced:

• Fresh Floral Lei: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Recycled / Non‑Floral Lei: 1st, 2nd, 3rd

Winning participants will receive prizes including resort stays and dining experiences.

Kanikapila - Live Hawaiian Music
1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. | Resort Lobby
Enjoy live Hawaiian music performed by the hosts of Kawenaokeao Cultural Center in an intimate, relaxed setting.

E Kui A Lei - Lei‑Making Experience
2:00 p.m. | Hele On
A second opportunity to participate in this family‑friendly lei‑making experience Materials provided while supplies last.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Signature Awards, Music & Hula
3:00 p.m. | Resort Lawn
oin us for the closing celebration as the community gathers to honor outstanding lei.

• People's Choice Award announced (voting closes at 2:00 p.m.)
• Best in Show Grand Prize

The afternoon continues with live music and hula, including youth performances celebrating the next generation of cultural practitioners. Featured groups include Maui Music Mission and Nāpili Kai Foundation.

Join the Celebration
We invite you to explore, connect, and celebrate Lei Day with us.

For those unable to attend in person, portions of the event will be shared live on Facebook via @OUTRIGGERKaanapaliBeachResort.

Maui Residents: Participate
Enter your family or personal lei into the ʻOhana Lei Exhibit: click here.
Enter your newly created lei into the Lei Contest: click here.