May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii…" This famous phrase to those of us in Hawaii helps us remember the annual festivities for as long as we can reminisce. At schools all across the islands, there are always a Lei Day court with students voted in as king, queen, and royal entourage from the islands, typically representing the colors and flowers of their island through Hula (dance) and mele (song). The most important thing about May day is the Lei of course. Leis are now given upon greeting a close friend or relative that has been away from the islands for years, at special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, graduation, and other major events in Hawaii. The fragrances throughout the land on Lei day, or May 1, are of such popular and exquisite flowers as the plumeria, ginger, puakenikeni, and if you are lucky, the dainty pikake. The first Lei Day was held on May 1, 1928, and everyone in Honolulu was encouraged to wear lei. Festivities were held downtown with hula, music, lei making demonstrations and exhibits and lei making contests.
May Day Court Leis
Hawaii's Flowers - Each Hawaiian Island has its own designated flower.
Oahu's flower is the yellow ilima (Sida fallax), which is a very popular flower used for leis. Each flower is about an inch across and somewhat resembles a small hibiscus. Early Hawaiians used ilima flowers as a cure for general illnesses.
The official flower of the Big Island is the red ohia, which is the blossom of the native ohia tree. Lehua blossoms can also be orange, yellow or white. It’s said that the lehua flower is sacred to Pele, Hawaii’s volcano goddess and if picked would bring the rain.
Kauai’s flower actually isn’t a flower at all: The mokihana (Pela anista) isagreen berry grown only on the slopes of Mount Waialelae, endemic to Kaua'i(Pelea anisata) is a green berry grown only on the slopes of Mount Waialelae, endemic to Kaua’i Island. Strung like beads and woven with strands of maile, these hardy berries have a beautiful scent but also may irritate the skin.
Maui’s flower is the pink lokelani (Rosa damascena), or pink cottage rose. Brought to the Islands in the 1800s, the lokelani is prized by gardeners for its beauty and fragrance. The lokelani is the only non-native plant to be recognized as the official flower of any of the Hawaiian Islands.
Mahalo to you homeowners that have visited the project in the past few months to check out the progress of your island home. It is always a pleasure to spent time with you as construction progresses and our plans become reality. We look forward to your future visits. For those who haven’t visited we invite you to visit Kauai while your home is being built. Through our Koloa Landing Concierge services we are able to offer terrific rates on accommodations at the Grand Hyatt Kauai and many island activities. With summer approaching the Na Pali Coast is more breathtaking than ever, let us help you experience this by booking an amazing boating adventure. If you would prefer hiking in Koke’e with views of the ever impressive Waimea Canyon, we can assist you with trail information as well. Please contact Jennifer Cole-Conner, your Customer Care Manager before visiting and she will assist with your plans.
Construction on the project continues to progress as you can see from the aerial photos. The concrete superstructures of all five Phase One residential buildings are complete. To celebrate this big day Resort Construction Managers held a “Topping Off” luncheon. Many of the quality subcontractors who have had a hand in the construction process were in attendance. In addition to the completion of building skeletons, the mechanical and plumbing systems in the buildings are well underway. As we move through spring and through the summer the roof trusses and roof tiles will be installed. Also this summer the exterior framing and skinning of the buildings will begin. It will be exciting to see the design and architecture of the buildings come to life.
S&P Destination Properties’ real estate affiliate, Oceanfront Realty International, Inc., will take the lead on the sales initiatives at Koloa Landing as of May 1, 2009. Over the last two years, Oceanfront Realty has worked closely with S&P to introduce Koloa Landing to their clients and to make Koloa Landing the success it is today. Oceanfront Realty is a highly respected Hawaii brokerage firm with 25 years of experience selling real estate in the islands. Oceanfront’s involvement in the project to date will ensure a seamless transition, with consistency in the sales approach and homeowner communication. We are confident that with Oceanfront Realty heading up sales, Koloa Landing’s relationship with homeowners, customers and Kauai’s real estate community will continue to grow. THE KOLOA LANDING TEAM
FRIENDS & FAMILY REFERRAL PROGAM
Refer Friends and Family and when they purchase at Koloa Landing you will receive 12 Months of Paid Homeowner’s Association Dues… up to $40,212.00!
The flower of Molokai is the white kukui blossom (Aleurites moluccana). These tiny white flowers are popular among Island lei makers.
Lanai’s flower is the kaunaoa, or yellow and orange air plant. Lei makers take the thin, light orange strands of this vine and twist them together to form leis.
Niihau’s designated "flower" is the white pupu shell, found on the shoreline of this rocky island, beautiful lei necklaces and jewelry are made from these shells.
Despite all the beautiful flowers that represent the islands the official state flower is the yellow hibiscus (hibiscus brackenridgei), also known as the pua aloalo. Hawaiians originally adopted the hibiscus flower (of all colors) as their official Territorial flower in the early 1920s. It wasn’t until 1988, however, that Hawaii’s legislature legally adopted the yellow hibiscus as the official state flower. The hibiscus originated in Asia and the Pacific islands. Subsequently, other varieties were imported, and growers began to develop unique hybrids to produce the variety of colors and sizes found today.
