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:

Dec. 14, 2025Christmas Bird Count
Dec. 9, 2023Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina
Jul. 2, 2024Italica, an old Roman city in Santiponce, Andalusia, Spain
Dec. 4, 2025International Cheetah Day
Trails leading to the gateway of nature.
Jan. 19, 2024Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Nov. 27, 2025Eastbourne Pier, East Sussex, England
So close, yet so far
Sep. 11, 2024Red fox mother kissing her baby
Nov. 16, 2024Wadden Sea coast, Friesland, Netherlands
Something to ‘bee’ thankful for
Dec. 9, 2025National Llama Day
Dec. 15, 2024Lake Misurina, Dolomites, Italy
Mar. 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Apr. 15, 2025World Art Day
Dec. 6, 2024Finnish Independence Day
Stepping back in time
Jan. 14, 2024Whooper swans
Jan. 11, 2024Eurasian lynx
So fresh, so clean
Jan. 27, 2025Zoroaster Temple, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States
Sharks, just living their lives
Mar. 5, 2024Bangkok, Thailand
Jun. 1, 2025World Reef Awareness Day
Let’s go to the Ex!
Heavenly hot springs
Oct. 20, 2023International Sloth Day
Mar. 29, 2025Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States
Jan. 5, 2024International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, Harbin, China
Stealthy pollinators