Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 6, 1 June 1992 — Lei day contest draws record 92 entries [ARTICLE]

Lei day contest draws record 92 entries

by Ann L. Moorc The 65th annual Lei Day celebration, May 1 , was opened by the Royal Hawaiian Band, followed by the investiture of the Lei Queen and princesses. A continuous line of people, loeal folk and visitors, queued up to see the lei eontest entries from noon to closing. In a tent near the lei display many practitioners of Hawaiian handicrafts demonstrated their skills and answered questions about Hawaiian quilting, coconut weaving and jewelry making. During the afternoon, entertainment at the bandstand was provided by Halau Hula O Hokulani, Kupuna Aloha Lanakila O Kalani, Ron Loo and Friends, Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu, and Na Keiki O Manana. Lei Queen Crystal Kanoelani Aberegg of Kaua'i, is a graduate student at the University of Hawai'iManoa majoring in political science. She speaks Hawaiian fluently and loves hula. Her talent in lei-making and things Hawaiian made her the Lei Day Queen for 1992. She is of Hawaiian, French, German, Irish and English descent. The Princesses Haunani Balino is a laboratory assistant working at Kaiser Permanente and she enjoys doing Hawaiian genealogy research. She is a student of hula with James and Miehael Dela Cruz and participated in the Miss Aloha Hula competition at the 1992 Merrie Monarch Festival. She is of Hawaiian, Chinese and Filipino descent. Arlette Kealohaoku'upu'uwai Johnson, a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and UHManoa, works as an administrative assistant at the Aloha United Way. She loves to dance hula

and is a student at Na Pua Liko Lehua, Leina'ala Kalama Heine, kumu hula. She dances at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for the Brothers Cazimero. She is of Hawaiian and Caucasian descent. Hannah Hanakia Tui comes from Papakolea and learned hula from her mother Hannah Kaneakua-Basso, a long time hula teacher for the Department of Parks and Recreation. A partner in the KiaKanoeonapua Publishing Co., whieh produces books for and about Hawaiian children, she is active in church work and close to her family. She is of pure Hawaiian descent. Danette Leimomi Nani Cruz is receptionistsecretary for KCCN Broadcasting Company. She is Hu Alaka'i for the Kahala Foundation and kumu hula for her keiki hula halau, Na Maka Honu A Ka Pili Wale. She is of Hawaiian, Portuguese and Spanish descent. There were four major categories for lei entries: Mayor's Grand Prize, hat lei, theme lei based on Na Mohala Lehua (the blooming lehua) — these had to contain lehua blossoms, buds and liko of the 'Ohi'a Lehua, in addition to any other plants or flowers. The fourth category was neck-length lei, using any Hawaiian method, in blue-violet, green, mixed color, redpink, white or yellow-orange. May 2, the day following the Lei Day exhibit, all lei entered in the contest were taken to Mauna 'Ala, the Royal Mausoleum on Nu'uanu Avenue, and presented to Na Ali'i O Hawai'i in a simple ceremony. Entrants in the contest received special instructions conc|rning the materials for their lei. Conservation 3r native plants was stressed in the rules, an<t entr«ints were urged, for instance. to use substitutes when possible (dusty miller

instead of hinahina ku kahakai); to use homegrown rather than wild plants; to refrain from taking plants from heavily-used areas; and to practice basic Hawaiian conservation. The instructions said, "The plants used by ancient Hawaiians were an essential part of their lives. While perpetuating the tradition of lei-making. let us work together to conserve and protect our natural heritage." Lei winners Bill Char won the Mayor's Grand Prize for a lei of hala. palapala'i and miniature pin cushion flowers. It was displayed on a background of ti leaf as the centerpiece of the exhibit. Of the 26 entries in the hat lei contest, the winner was Charlene Choy of Honolulu. She used hedyotis, lehua, 'ohelo, palapalai, 'uki, uluhe, wawae'iole. Second plaee went to Honey Justman of Honolulu, third plaee to Naty T. Lagaso of Aiea; and fourth to Suzan Harada of Honolulu. In the white lei category, the winner was Bill Char of Honolulu. He used hydrangea. marguerite, palapala'i, pukiawe, shrimp, statice, stephanotis, leucodendron protea, astilbe, moek orange, Hawaiian baby's breath and mirror plant. Second prize went to Moki Labra of Hale'iwa, third to Reynold Choy of Honolulu, and fourth to Gino Cabugon of Honolulu. The theme lei first prize went to Brian Choy of Honolulu, who used lehua, moa, pa'iniu, palapalai, 'uki and wawae'iole. Second prize went to Moki Labra of Hale'iwa, third prize to Bill Char of Honolulu, and fourth to Reynold Choy of Honolulu. For the blue-violet lei, the winner was Reynold Choy of Honolulu. who used chrysanthemum, hedyotis, hydrangea, palapalai protea, rose, statice, uluhe, corn flower and honohono orchid. Second prize went to Bill Char of Honolulu, third to Nathan Kalani Spencer of Waianae, and fourth to Gino Cabugon of Honolulu. Bill Char won the green lei contest with a lei of chinaman's hat, juniper, 'ohelo, palapalai pukiawe, shrimp, cymbidium, lehua liko seed pods, eucalyptus, hydrangea, aeaeia, bells of Ireland, rosy apple buds, briza and tristellateia fruits. Second and fourth plaee went to Gino Cabugon of Honolulu, and third to Bryan Choy of Honolulu.

In the red-pink contest, Bill Char won with a lei of 'a'ali'i, akulikuli, celosia, grevillea, hydrangea, lehua, medinilla, 'ohelo, palapalai, pukiawe, rose, statice, astilbe, dwarf donbeya, amaranth, kangaroo paw and anthurium. Second plaee went to Reynold Choy, third to Gino Cabugon, and fourth to Brian Choy of Honolulu. The yellow-orange lei contest was won by Moki Labra of Hale'iwa with a lei of 'ohai ali'i and palapalai. Reynold Choy took second plaee, Brian Choy, third and Bill Char, fourth. Velma Omura of Honolulu won the mixed-col-or lei contest using crown flower, hedyotis, lehua, 'ohelo, pa'iniu, palapalai, wawae'iole. Second plaee went to Charlene Choy, third to Bill Char, and fourth to Evan Otsuka of Honolulu . First prize winners in eaeh category received $100, except for the prize for the theme lei whieh was $150, and the Mayor's Grand Prize whieh was $200. In total, 92 entries were received.