By Staff Reports
(O‘AHU) – The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation bids a fond ho‘omaika‘i (congratulations) to the 96th Lei Court!
- Queen Kuʻuleialoha Llanos
- First Princess Pualeilani Kamahoahoa
- Princess Xian Pomare
Lei Queen Kuʻulei is a Waipahū native and Sacred Hearts Academy alumni. Mother of four wonderful children, and devoted wife to Kino, Ku‘ulei is a federal court worker who spends her free time supporting her ‘ohana, as an ʻōlapa (dancer) for Halau Hula ‘O Hokulani, and as a volunteer. In particular, helping to organize the Young Women Prom Event, hosted by Andria Tupola and Empower Hawai‘i. Ku‘ulei also captured the title of Mrs. Hawai‘i USA in 2021, being awarded the People’s Choice and Mrs. Congeniality awards during the National Pageant. These awards exemplify the grace, humility, and professionalism Ku‘ulei displays in every aspect of her life.
Lei Queen Kuʻulei and her court now join the prestigious lineage of Hawaiian cultural practitioners represented by the Lei Court ‘Ohana. This 96th Le Court was determined during the selection event March 1, 2025 inside Kapolei Hale. The event was a beautiful celebration of Native Hawaiian culture, hula, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, and of course lei-making.
Mahalo to all of the fantastic participants and the jubilant spectators who attended the selection event, including previous Lei Court Queens & Princesses.
2025 Lei Queen Kuʻulei and her court will preside over the 97th Annual Lei Day Celebration festivities, and will be the City’s Ambassadors of Aloha at a variety of public events.
The 97th Annual Lei Day Celebration will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Kapi‘olani Park, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Along with Hawaiian entertainment, demonstrations, and exhibits, the celebration event will feature a lei contest exhibit showcasing some of the most exquisitely crafted lei in a variety of colors and methods.
While lei have been crafted and given in Polynesian culture for thousands of years, the first Lei Day Celebration was celebrated on May 1, 1927 with a few people wearing lei in downtown Honolulu. Over time, more and more people began to wear lei on May 1, and thus began the tradition of “May Day is Lei Day in Hawai‘i.” The first lei Queen, Miss Nina Bowman, was crowned by then Honolulu Mayor Charles Arnold in 1928.
For more information about the Lei Court Selection, Lei Day Celebration, and an engaging historical write-up of the history of Lei Day in Hawai‘i visit bit.ly/HonoluluLeiDay
If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.