Lei Day May 1, 2024

As the first day of May dawns upon Hawaii, Lei Day bursts forth in a riot of colour, fragrance and festivity. Leis are garlands crafted from various flowers, leaves and even shells, carrying significant cultural importance for the natives of the island state. Leis were brought by the Polynesians as they migrated eastward through the Pacific Islands before reaching Hawaii between 1000 and 1200 CE. They represent love, respect and the ever-present aloha spirit, described as "the coordination of mind and heart within each person." Lei Day is an all-day fiesta that includes parades, pageants, lei-making contests, hula dances and feasts.

© Jotika Pun/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Spanning the soft sunlight
A snapshot of Spring
May 1, 2025Lei Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Mar. 8, 2024International Womens Day
Oct. 16, 2024Fossils of belemnites and ammonites, Jurassic Coast, UK
May 24, 2026A mute swan reflected on tranquil waters
Aug 29, 2026Aerial view of surfers, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Happy Mothers Day!
Jan. 10, 2026The Matterhorn reflected in Lake Stellisee at sunrise, Zermatt, Switzerland
Mar. 4, 2025Happy Fat Tuesday!
Oct. 19, 2023Mekong River Delta, Long An, Vietnam
Don’t look down!
Dec. 18, 2025Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, United States
Apr. 28, 2025Impala in Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Jun. 17, 2024Pollinator Week
Mar. 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
What waterborne wizardry is this?
Nov. 5, 2023Playa del Silencio, Spain
One of the oldest parks in Quebec
Where we go to play
May 8, 2025World Donkey Day
Southern tip of a northern isle
The road less taken?
Sep. 28, 2025Town of Pienza in Tuscany, Italy
Jun. 28, 2025Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising
Jun. 8, 2024Canadian Grand Prix 2024
History awaits atop the hill
Apr. 1, 2025National Frog Month
Jan. 29, 2024Gollinger Waterfalls, Salzburg, Austria
Jan. 31, 2024International Zebra Day
Apr. 26, 2025Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario
Remembering D-Day
Jan. 3, 2024J.R.R. Tolkien Day