There are a couple of reasons to miss living in the islands besides the normal ones (family, beaches, wearing tank tops in warm evening air.) May Day is one of those strictly non-religious holidays that is all about flowers and dancing. It’s the week of many kids’ May Day Pageants that feature classic Hawaiian music and a whole court of hula dancers representing each of the Hawaiian Islands and yes, LOTS of flowers and leis.
Punahou parents and teachers go nuts trying to be sure they have enough flowers in their yards and on campus to make all the leis and tie all the flowers in kids’ hair. There’s even little leis for their ankles. All the first graders have been practicing their “Pearly Shells” hand motions for months, and third graders display their spry ukulele skills for the “Ukulele Lady” song.
I think May Day is really just a good reason to end the hula training season each year, but hey, it’s feel-good fun.
