Mall Has Lei Contest, Prizes, Music, Displays

Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club will coordinate “Lei Day at the Mall” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, offering lei-making contests, Hawaiian music, cultural exhibits and cash awards for the best lei.

The adult category is for amateurs age 13 and older; participants should bring their entries for judging between 9 a.m. and noon. Keiki lei-making will run from 10 a.m. to noon at the mall for ages 6 to 12, and parents are not allowed to help. Awards will be announced at 1 p.m.

Meanwhile, the civic club will have exhibits of volunteer efforts and projects that show good stewardship of the land. The club also is adding a new contest category this year: Malama ‘Aina. This one requires professional and amateur lei-makers to create their entries from recycled, man-made materials.

“Here in Koolaupoko, we are blessed with beautiful flowers and foliage for lei-making,” said club president Alice Hewett. “But we also have to recognize that we cannot continue to make opala (trash), that we should recycle whenever we can.”

Entertaining throughout the program will be Ekolu Makau, Puohala Hawaiian Immersion School keiki and other groups. For more information and contest rules, call 235-8111.

Event sponsor is Hawaiian Electric Co.