Lei Day in Hawaii May 1, 2025

Lei Day in Hawaii

Today, while the world celebrates May Day with parades and protests, Hawaii takes a more fragrant approach—by draping itself in flowers. On May 1, Hawaii celebrates Lei Day, a tradition that honors culture, craftsmanship, and the ever-present aloha spirit, described as "the coordination of mind and heart within each person." Since 1928, this Hawaiian tradition has been in full bloom, with leis—or garlands made of flowers, leaves, or shells—serving as symbols of connection. The idea for Lei Day came from poet Don Blanding, who suggested a holiday dedicated to Hawaii"s iconic floral garlands. Local writer Grace Tower Warren gave it its slogan, "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii," and the tradition quickly took root.

© Miranda Jans/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

May 1, 2018The Sky Over Nine Columns in Venice, Italy
May 1, 2019Purple flowers and Golden Week
May 1, 2020It s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May 1, 2021It s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 1, 2022AAPI Heritage Month & Lei Day
May 1, 2023Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 1, 2024Lei Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

May 14, 2022Windmills in Kinderdijk, the Netherlands
Dec 21, 2020Shadows on the solstice
Apr 30, 2018Swinging into International Jazz Day
Oct 13, 2018‘Hello’ from zero degrees longitude
May 13, 2023World Migratory Bird Day
Mar 18, 2018Christmas Tree Point Road and Twin Peaks, San Francisco
Aug 5, 2019A ‘Superior’ paddle
Jul 16, 2023Bear Hole Brook, Catskill Mountains, New York
Dec 18, 2025Celebrating 54 years of Capitol Reef National Park
Aug 16, 2025World Honey Bee Day
Jan 18, 2026White Sands National Park, New Mexico
May 8, 2021World Migratory Bird Day
Aug 15, 2022Indian Independence Day
Jan 12, 2020The Zugspitze: Germany s highest point
Apr 15, 2020Art and soul
Jul 8, 2023Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Arkansas
Jul 13, 2018The puffin-rabbit connection
Oct 23, 2021Eurasian scops owl
Nov 6, 2023Lake Pehoé, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Feb 9, 2021What s going on in this sky?
Sep 17, 2022Oktoberfest
Apr 25, 2022World Penguin Day
Nov 6, 2020Life in the slow lane
May 14, 2024Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico
Apr 17, 2021A river runs through it
Apr 19, 2024Ring of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland
Oct 29, 2024Great horned owl
May 23, 2019Come out of your shell for World Turtle Day
May 13, 2025Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile
Nov 20, 2021World Children s Day