May 2008

Join the locals and share some aloha during this month of May.

Lei Day Celebration
May Day or the Lei Day Celebration is a unique event sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation at Queen Kapilolani Park, Waikiki. On May 1-2, participate in an adult lei contest, children's lei contest and hula from during 12:30-5:30pm.

Hawaii Romance Festival
On Oahu, a series of live concerts, festivities and dinners will celebrate the islands as one of the most romantic destinations in the world. From May 2-11, fall in love with the islands all over again.

Taste of the Stars
The annual Taste of the Stars on May 6th in Oahu, features 22 of Hawaii's premier resort and restaurant chefs. In addition, the night boasts live entertainment, spirits and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Leeward Community College culinary arts program in Pearl City.

International Festival of Canoes
Honor Hawaii’s heritage at this two-week festival from May 10-24 on Maui. Master carvers from The Cook Islands, Tonga, Tahiti and many more tropical locations create unforgettable canoes with old-style and modern techinques.

17th Ka Hula Piko Hula Festival
Celebrate the birth of hula on May 15-17 on Molokai. View cultural demonstrations, traditional dance and delight in local fare.

Honolulu Symphony Ball
Saturday, May 17th, the Honolulu Symphony Ball will be held to support youth concerts and youth education. This annual fundraiser and silent auction will be held at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu.

Kauai Polynesian Festival
On May 22-25, the Kauai Polynesian Festivals presents a Grand Polynesian Luau and live local entertainments. Enjoy dance competitions and food booths at Vidinha Stadium, Kauai.

Gain a whole new appreciation for your favorite vacation spot with these interesting island facts.

• The yellow ilima, once used for the royal leis worn by chiefs, is the designated flower of Oahu. The beautiful flower remains popular in leis of islanders and mainlanders today.
• Hawaii actually consists of over 100 islands, but most people imagine Hawaii to consist of its seven most popular islands: Hawaii (“The Big Island”), Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.
• In the Americas, Hawaii is the only state that has been governed by a king who was also native to the land.
• The Big Island is home to the Kilauea, an active volcano thought to be the home of the Hawaiian Goddess Pele.
• The island of Maui is home to Haleakala Crater, the world’s largest dormant volcano.
• The Hawaiian people did not have a writing system of their own, so much of their history was passed along in legends and/or chants.
  

• The Candlenut Tree, the state tree of Hawaii, produces small white flowers that are often used in leis.
• The Hawaiian flag bears eight stripes of blue, red and white to represent the eight major islands.
• In Hawaii, there are four predominant counties each with their own mayor: Kauai, Honolulu, Hawaii and Maui.
• Hawaii is the one and only state where coffee is commercially grown.
• The Hawaiian Islands are also called the Sandwich Islands.
• Each island is known by its very own distinctive nickname:
  Hawaii “The Big Island”
  Oahu “The Gathering Place”
  Maui “The Valley Isle”
  Lanai “The Secluded Island”
  Molokai “The Friendly Island”
  Kauai “The Garden Isle”
  Niihau "The Forbidden Island"