Celebrate Lei Day AND the First Annual Kings’ Cup Cocktail Contest at Kings’ Shops!

April 15, 2023 / Julie Ziemelis /
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On Sunday April 30, 2023 celebrate Lei Day and the art and history of lei in Hawaiʻi at the Waikoloa Lei Day Festival at the Kings’ Shops in Waikoloa Beach Resort.

Enjoy lei-making, live music, a farmers’ market, keiki activities, hula performances, giveaways, and more from 10am to 2pm.

 

The event kicks off at Center Stage with a blessing by Aunty Tutu at 10am and you’ll be entertained throughout the day by well-known emcee Nikki Gour from the Wave 92FM!

NEW EVENT!

As part of the festivities, Kings’ Shops has concocted a new event-the 1st Annual KINGS’ CUP COCKTAIL CONTEST, sponsored by Kuleana Rum Works, Hawaii Island’s local distillery using cane sugar to create their beverages.

For this first-time event, the Kings’ Shops has gathered the Best of the Best mixologists to showcase the art of cocktail making which will begin at 10:30 am. Samples will be available to the audience. The cheers and “decibel” level of the crowd applauding their favorite cocktail sample from the contestants will be a factor for the final round, so root on your favorite bartender!

The Lei Day Festival is sponsored by Waikoloa Beach Resort with activities happening around the area.

If you are a visitor or a resident, Lei Day is a fantastic time to learn about the culture around the Lei.

 

Lei Day Fun Facts:

1. Lei Day is a statewide celebration in Hawaii with Lei Day, May 1, established as a holiday in 1929.
2. Each Hawaiian Island has a different type of lei for its people to wear in the celebration. 
3. The flower used to signify Hawaii Island is the red Ohia Lehua grows on trees that can approach 100 feet in height, and the flower itself is an explosion of deep red color. Said to be sacred to the volcano goddess, Pele, this flower resembles a volcanic eruption with its many vertical streaks of bright red.
There are a variety of kinds of leis:
• Kui: This style is one of the most common, and it is made through a piercing method. The lei maker takes a needle and pierces the materials being used. Each is strung together to create a lei that resembles a necklace. This is often used with plumerias, but other flowers may be used to create this effect.
• Haku: This mounted style of lei begins with a braid. The chosen material is then added into each braid wrap to mount it to the strands. Long leaves or tree bark were often used to create the braid.
• Hilo: With a rope made of two twisted strands, this twisting method of lei making often used ti leaves. Hilo in Hawaiian means “twisted”.

King’s Shops is located at 250 Waikoloa Beach Drive and is the premier destination for shopping, dining, and experiences.  

Julie Ziemelis is a YouTuber at 365Hawaii, blogger at 365 Things to Do in Kona, and a Realtor with KW Big Island. For info about real estate go to 365HawaiiLiving.com

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Meet the Author

Julie Ziemelis

Julie Ziemelis is an entrepreneur, business owner, author, blogger and vlogger in Kailua Kona. She created and moderates the “365 Things to Do in Kona” page and the Kona Newbies group on Facebook. She blogs at 365Kona.com and MoveToHawaii365.com and vlogs with her husband, Eric, at “365Hawaii” on YouTube. Julie also authored the books, “How to Move to Kona” and the “Insiders Guide to Buying Real Estate on the Big Island of Hawaii”. You will most likely find Julie in Kona hiking, running, biking, taking photos and sharing Aloha.

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