Ho‘omaika‘i to the winners of the 2024 Lei Contest!
167 lei submitted as part of the 96th Lei Day Celebration
O‘AHU – Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are proud to announce the winners of the Lei Contest presented during the 96th Lei Day Celebration held at Kapi‘olani Park today!
Ho‘omaika‘i (congratulations) to Melvin “Moki” Tracy Labra for winning the Mayor’s Grand Prize for his lei wili poepoe made of kī, kukui, maile, and palapalai. Labra was also awarded for seven other lei at this year’s contest, and won last year’s grand prize.
This year there were 167 entries for the contest in three major categories and several smaller divisions. Mahalo to all of the talented lei-makers who entered the contest, especially the talented keiki participants. In all, the winning lei-makers were awarded with nearly $5,400 in prize money and the prestige of winning one of the most renowned and exquisite lei-making competitions.
The other winning lei-makers, and their corresponding categories, are as follows:
|
CATEGORY |
1st Place |
2nd Place |
3rd Place |
|
LEI‘Ā‘Ī (Neck Lei) uliuli/poni (blue/purple) |
Alison Grace Higgins |
Gienah S. Southichack |
Melvin “Moki” Tracy Labra |
|
LEI‘Ā‘Ī (Neck Lei) ‘ula‘ula / ‘ākala (red/pink) |
Joel G. Kelley |
Nakoa Dylan Mahiole Wilbur |
Melvin “Moki” Tracy Labra |
|
LEI‘Ā‘Ī (Neck Lei) melemele/‘alani (yellow/orange) |
Honey Lalaina Coleman |
Roselani Irene Oga |
Yukio Otani |
|
LEI‘Ā‘Ī (Neck Lei) palaunu/‘ōma‘oma‘o (brown/green) |
Gienah S. Southichack |
Joel G. Kelley |
Carla C. Fukumoto |
|
LEI‘Ā‘Ī (Neck Lei) ke‘oke‘o/hinahina (white/gray) |
Melvin “Moki” Tracy Labra |
Reginald J. Dela Cruz |
Gienah S. Southichack |
|
LEI‘Ā‘Ī (Neck Lei) (mixed) |
Ayesha Yasmine Liquorish |
Ayesha Yasmin Liquorish |
Melvin “Moki” Tracy Labra |
|
LEI PĀPALE (Hat Lei) |
Melvin “Moki” Tracy Labra |
Ayesha Yasmin Liquorish |
Melvin “Moki” Tracy Labra |
|
LEI POʻOMANAʻO (themed lei) Komo mai kāu māpuna hoe (Dip your paddle in. Join in the effort) |
Melvin “Moki” Tracy Labra |
John Tran Hung To |
Reginald J. Dela Cruz |
|
LEI LANAKILA MUA (beginner lei) |
Mikiko Kawamra |
Miki L. Lene |
Timothy Kimokea W. Barrus |
|
LEI LIPINE (yarn, ribbon, fabric lei) |
Asaki Torii Davis |
Kuiko Imaizumi |
Junko Kobayashi-Uyetake |
|
LEI ‘ŌPIO (youth lei) 5 & under |
Keoni Olvera |
Eden ‘Orihau K. Teriiere |
Charlotte Ann Young |
|
LEI ‘ŌPIO (youth lei) 6-8 years |
Tikehau Alilea Morikawa |
Lucille Smith |
Alexandra Christine Young |
|
LEI ‘ŌPIO (youth lei) 9-12 years |
Moriah Joan Liquorish |
Moriah Joan Liquorish |
Mikayla Avery Malia Fernandes-Ragasa |
|
LEI ‘ŌPIO (youth lei) 13-17 years |
Sanoe Kamaleiakalani Kelley |
Maria Kimitch |
Lillian Kaleikini-Thompson |
The fresh flower lei from the Lei Contest were taken to Mauna ‘Ala (The Royal Mausoleum) and Kawaiāha‘o Church May 2. During that time, the 2024 Lei Court and members of the public placed the lei on the graves and tombs of Hawai‘i’s ali‘i.Mahalo to the thousands of participants, performers, and lei enthusiasts who enjoyed today’s Lei Day Celebration!
If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.
—PAU—
Follow the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation online and on social media:
YouTube: bit.ly/DPRyoutube Twitter: @honolulu_parks Instagram: @honolulu_parks
Facebook: facebook.com/honolulu.parks Nextdoor: bit.ly/DPRnextdoor Website: honolulu.gov/parks
