Winner of Honolulu’s 97th Lei Day competition wowed judges
COURTESY CITY PARKS & RECREATION
This closeup shows Dale Mar T. Acoba’s lei which won the Mayor’s Grand Prize at the 97th Lei Day Celebration Thursday
COURTESY CITY PARKS & RECREATION
Dale Mar T. Acoba won the Mayor’s Grand Prize at the 97th Lei Day Celebration Thursday at Kapiolani Park.
JAMM AQUINO/ JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Lei Queen Kuuleialoha Llanos, right, and First Princess Pualeilani Kamahoahoa look at the gallery of lei in for competition during the 97th Annual Lei Day Celebration Thursday at Kapiolani Park in Honolulu.
The Mayor’s Grand Prize at this year’s 97th Lei Day Celebration in Honolulu went to Dale Mar T. Acoba.
Acoba wowed judges Thursday with his white lei kui made of hypericum and pearl yarrow.
The city also named winners in 14 other lei categories. A total of $5,400 in prize money was awarded in the contest, according the city Department of Parks and Recreation.
Thousands of visitors flocked to Kapiolani Park in Waikiki for the annual celebration, which included the lei competition exhibit, along with music, hula performances by various halau, cultural demonstrations, and a local craft market.
The theme of this year’s celebration was Ho’okahi ka ‘ilau like ‘ana, meaning “wield the paddles together.”
The competition drew 137 entries in various categories based on the lei-maker’s age, lei style, color, and materials, according to city officials.
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Following protocol, the fresh lei from the contest were taken to Mauna ‘Ala, or The Royal Mausoleum, and Kawaiaha‘o Church this morning, and placed on the graves and tombs of Hawaii’s alii.
