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:

Jul. 18, 2024Coral Reef Awareness Week
Feb. 3, 2026Emerald Bay and Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe, California, United States
The Riviera of India
Feb. 24, 2024Almond trees in full bloom, California
Good cold fun
Aug. 5, 2024Lavender field, Hertfordshire, England
Jun. 1, 2025World Reef Awareness Day
Sep. 20, 2023Aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
Say hello to these halophytes!
The lonely castle
Jun. 25, 2024Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Beauty by the bay
Jun. 3, 2024World Bicycle Day
Jul. 26, 2025International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
Nov. 29, 2025Red deer stag in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands
May 15, 2024The Blue City of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Feb. 2, 2024Groundhog Day
Part science experiment, part public park
Jul. 15, 2024Marine Day, Japan
Jan. 7, 2026Old Rock Day
How’s the air up there?
May 24, 2025European Day of Parks
Apr. 28, 2026Spectacled bear resting in tree, Ecuador
Feb. 10, 2026Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell, Ibiza, Spain
Misty mountain hop
Is it green with envy?
This museum sets the prairie on fire
Feb. 17, 2024Sassnitz lighthouse, Rügen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
What the heck is a distaff?
Sep. 17, 2024Mid-Autumn Festival