Mall Hosting Lei Day Contest

Windward residents can start celebrating Lei Day at an amateur lei contest Sunday at Windward Mall, coordinated by Ko’olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club.

Sponsored by the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Hawaiian Electric Company and the mall, the celebration is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the lei contest for amateurs runs from 9 a.m. to noon at center court, offering two age categories: 5 to 11 years, and 12 and older.

“We invite everyone to come and join us for an early Lei Day celebration,” said civic club member Rocky Kaluhiwa. “We will even have expert lei-makers on hand to demonstrate their craft, great Hawaiian music, beautiful flowers and lots of smiles that we hope will help us celebrate this wonderful island tradition.”

Entertaining throughout the program will be Hi’ikua, Holuanape, Keale and a “special guest artist,” all from Ko’olaupoko.

Guidelines for 12 and older are as follows: Those who sell lei for income are ineligible; lei must be at least 30 inches long and made of natural materials gathered in Ko’olaupoko; style can be haku (woven), wili (braided) or kui (strung with needle and thread; string, thread or yarn are OK); turn in entries by 10:15 a.m. Sunday to the registration table.

Guidelines for ages 5 to 11: Lei must be at least 20 inches long and made of natural materials gathered in Ko’olaupoko; keiki should bring their own materials to make their lei; style can be haku, wili or kui (string, thread or yarn OK); lei must be made by each contestant at center court.

Tables and chairs will be provided, and the keiki lei-making contest will take place between 10 a.m. and noon. No parents or older relatives will be allowed at the keiki competition tables during the lei-making.

To register, call 286-7955 or email rockyfromheeia@aol.com.