Monday, February 18, 2019

Nathan Serota: (808) 768-3046

2019 Lei Court candidates announced

Kapolei – The City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation proudly announces the candidates for the 91st Annual Lei Court selection event.



Each year, the Lei Court selection rotates through four age brackets. This year is Nā ‘Ōpio (the youth), and will feature three contestants who are between 18 to 30 years of age. They are:

Brittanie-Kristina Corpus

Naiya ‘Ānelamainalanikuaka‘a Kuwaye-Naehu

Nicole Aiko Punahele Makamae Kahi ‘O Mililani Nakamatsu

The selection event will be held on Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kapolei Hale. The event is free to attend and open to the public.



Each contestant will be scored on the following skills performed on-site: one-hour lei making, the English and Hawaiian languages, hula ‘auana, and poise and personality.



Once selected, the Lei Court will preside over the 92nd Annual Lei Day Celebration festivities, and will be the city’s Ambassadors of Aloha at a variety of public events.



The Lei Day Celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 1 at Kapi‘olani Park from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The theme for the celebration is Lei Kahakai (seashore lei).



Along with Hawaiian entertainment, demonstrations, and exhibits, the celebration event will feature a lei contest exhibit showcasing some of the most exquisitely crafted lei in a variety of colors and methods.



These events are made possible thanks to donations from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Hula Grill Waikīkī, Handcrafters and Artisans Alliance, Friends of Honolulu Parks and Recreation, as well as partnerships with KFVE, Summit Media, Hawaiian Music Live, and Salon 808.



The first Lei Day was celebrated on May 1, 1927 with a few people wearing lei in downtown Honolulu. Over time, more and more people began to wear lei on May 1, and thus began the tradition of “May Day is Lei Day in Hawai‘i.” The first Lei Queen, Miss Nina Bowman, was crowned by Honolulu Mayor Charles Arnold in 1928.

—PAU—

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Twitter: @honolulu_parks Instagram: @honolulu_parks Facebook: facebook.com/honolulu.parks