[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6512-6513]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                           LEI DAY IN HAWAII

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, May 1 is a special day in many cultures. 
The Celts and Saxons and others in pre-Christian Europe celebrated the 
first planting and the beauty of spring. These agrarian celebrations 
continued down through the centuries and remain today. In much of 
Europe, May 1 is also a labor holiday, honoring the labor workers. The 
first of May, however, has a unique and very special significance to 
the people of Hawaii. May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. Lei Day is a 
nonpolitical and nonpartisan celebration. Indeed, its sole purpose is 
to engage in random acts of kindness and sharing, and to celebrate the 
Aloha spirit, that intangible, but palpable, essence which is best 
exemplified by the hospitality and inclusiveness exhibited by the 
Native Hawaiians--Hawaii's indigenous peoples--to all people of 
goodwill.
  A lei is a garland of flowers joined together in a manner which can 
be worn. There are many different styles of lei made of numerous types 
of flowers. The type of flower used determines the manner in which the 
lei is woven. While Hawaii and the Native Hawaiian culture are properly 
acknowledged for giving the lei such prominence, and the lei is a 
sensory manifestation of the Aloha spirit, other Pacific island 
peoples--the Polynesians and Micronesians for example--and Southeast 
Asians use floral garlands to greet and honor guests.
  A lei symbolizes love, support, and friendship. Longstanding 
tradition in Hawaii has made May 1 a special day for the people of 
Hawaii. The Territory of Hawaii observed its first ``May Day is Lei 
Day'' celebration on May 1, 1928. There were many festivities and 
competitions that exhibited lei made of flowers from the different 
islands. In addition, many schools held elaborate programs throughout 
the islands.
  This tradition has continued for many years in Hawaii. In 1929, 
Governor Farrington signed a Lei Day proclamation urging the citizens 
of Hawaii to ``observe the day and honor the traditions of Hawaii-nei 
by wearing and displaying lei.'' Many schools celebrate this day by 
holding pageants where students honor the many cultures and traditions 
of Hawaii. Students commonly elect a May Day court, commemorating 
Hawaii's royal heritage, that consists of two representatives who wear 
flowers and colored Aloha attire representative and customary for each 
of the eight major islands of Hawaii. In addition, many communities 
hold events in honor of Lei Day, including lei making contests and 
concerts.
  This year, the Hawaii State Legislature passed a bill to officially 
recognize May 1 as ``Lei Day in Hawaii.'' The bill was recently signed 
into law by Gov. Benjamin Cayetano.
  Mr. President, in an effort to share the Aloha spirit across America 
and around the world, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau will be 
sharing lei in seventeen cities today. Approximately 31,000 lei will be 
shared in 17 cities around the world, including here in Washington, DC, 
New York, Chicago, Vancouver, Seoul, Sydney, Beijing, and

[[Page 6513]]

Buenos Aires. The lei will be of three types: plumeria, tuberose, and 
dendrobium orchids. I am pleased that we in Washington, DC, are able to 
participate in this wonderful celebration of the Aloha spirit. Across 
Capitol Hill this morning, young people from the metropolitan area who 
are students of Native Hawaiian hula, language and culture are sharing 
a floral greeting and compilation of beautiful Hawaiian music with 
every Senator and Member of Congress. I encourage all of my colleagues 
to enjoy the fragrant and beautiful lei, listen to the music and allow 
yourself to be transported to Hawaii where you too will discover the 
cheer and camaraderie of Lei Day.
  The songwriter Red Hawke captured it best when he wrote:

     May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii,
     Garlands of flowers everywhere,
     All of the colors in the rainbow,
     Maidens with blossoms in their hair,
     Flowers that mean we should be happy,
     Throwing aside a load of care,
     Oh, May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii,
     May Day is happy out there.

  I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Crapo). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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