A Celebration of Lei, Culture, and Community in Hanalei

Lā Hanalei

1 MEI, 2026 | 10:00AM - 4:00PM

Hana-Lei (to make lei)

First Annual Lā HanaLei Festival

The First Annual Lā HanaLei (or Lā Lei “lei day”) Festival at Hanalei Center celebrates lei as a living tradition of Hawaiʻi—an expression of aloha, relationship, and cultural continuity.

Rooted in the spirit of Hanalei—often known as “Lei Valley”—this gathering honors the artistry and ʻike passed down through generations of lei makers. In this valley of rain, river, loʻi, and sea, the practice of lei-making reflects a deep connection to ʻāina and community—where culture is not just remembered, but lived.

Time:

Friday, May 1st, 2026 | 10:00am - 4:00pm

Location:

Hanalei Town Center
The big lawn, in the heart of Hanalei

What is Lā HanaLei?

Lā HanaLei is more than a festival—it is a gathering grounded in ʻike, creativity, and aloha. It brings together cultural practitioners, artisans, educators, musicians, keiki, and families to celebrate lei-making as a practice of connection, responsibility, and story.

For centuries, lei have marked life’s most meaningful moments—welcoming, honoring, celebrating, and remembering. Crafted with intention and care, lei embodies aloha and the deep relationships between people, place, and culture. Techniques such as kuʻi, haku, wili, and hilo reflect ʻike passed down through generations, carried forward through skilled and practiced hands.

In celebration of this living tradition, Lā HanaLei will feature the first annual Kawena Chandler Lei Making Contest, inviting participants to share their creativity, skill, and cultural knowledge. This contest honors both the artistry and the ʻike of lei making, creating a space for community members to engage, learn, and perpetuate these practices. Participants of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to join and contribute to the continued vitality of this cherished tradition.

Presented in partnership with Hanalei Town Center, Limahuli Garden & Preserve (National Tropical Botanical Garden), HANALEISTAND and Rocket Ahuna.

With the support of Hanalei’s local businesses, artisans, cultural practitioners, educators and community.

Entertainment & Cultural Presentations

Featuring a full day of mele, hula, and cultural expression:

Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Kainani Kahaunaele and Kaniaulono Hāpai

Special guests Kumu Kamealoha Forest and hālau

Nā Keiki o Pūnana Leo o Kauaʻi

Kawaikini Public Charter School

Nāmahāna Public Charter School

Alongside lei-making demonstrations, contests, cultural exhibitors, and hands-on experiences for keiki and families.

Honoring Our Beloved

Kawena “Wena” Chandler (Wainiha, Kauaʻi)

Kawena “Wena” Chandler of Wainiha is remembered as a deeply beloved cultural practitioner, lei maker, and keeper of ʻike kūpuna. Her hands carried the traditions of her ancestors—gathering, weaving, and sharing lei not just as adornment, but as expressions of aloha, ʻike, and connection to ʻāina. Her presence grounded her community in care, humility, and cultural integrity. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the love she wove into every lei.

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Kumu Punohu
(Pūnana Leo o Kauaʻi)

Kumu Punohu is a cherished educator, cultural leader, and devoted kumu of Pūnana Leo o Kauaʻi, dedicated to the revitalization of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and ʻike Hawaiʻi. Through his teaching, he has nurtured generations of keiki in language, identity, and pride. His work uplifts ʻohana, strengthens community, and ensures that culture continues to live, speak, and grow. He embodies aloha and the responsibility of carrying knowledge forward.

We are also excited to announce the grand opening of HanaleiStand, a space dedicated to honoring lei as a living tradition and cultural practice. Drawing its name and purpose from the deep cultural meaning of Hanalei—Lei Valley—HanaleiStand is rooted in ʻike and tradition, uplifting lei-making as an expression of aloha woven through celebration, ceremony, remembrance, and everyday life. Inspired by the legacy of lei stands across the islands, HanaleiStand supports both lei makers and traditional lei growers—those who gather fresh pua from their own yards, gardens, and surrounding ʻāina, bringing them to skilled hands to be transformed into lei. Many of these practitioners carry generational knowledge, seasonal understanding, and deep relationships to place, reflecting care for ʻāina and respect for cultural practice.

Alongside fresh, locally made lei, HanaleiStand will offer thoughtfully designed pieces by Rocket Ahuna and branded merchandise—that extend the story of lei beyond adornment. These items serve as reminders of relationship, responsibility, and place—carrying forward the values embodied in the giving and making of lei.

Ke Aloha Nō

We gratefully acknowledge the dedicated lei artisans, musicians, hula hālau, forestry organizations, sponsors, and volunteers who make this event possible. Their collective effort ensures that lei makers, lei growers, lei plants, native plants, cultural practices, and community ʻike continue to thrive.