The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation is looking for a queen or king, as well as princesses or princes, for its Lei Court. The court will represent the City and County of Honolulu during festive events, such as Lei Day, in 2026. Applications must be postmarked by Friday, Jan. 23.
“Serving as Lei Queen has been a profound honor that encompassed the kuleana to represent myself, family, friends, and the community,” said Kuʻuleialoha Llanos, the Lei Queen for 2025, in a written statement. “Though this kuleana was big, it allowed me to build relationships with other people I otherwise wouldn’t have met without this opportunity.”
The 2026 Lei Court selection will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Mission Memorial Auditorium. The age range of the Lei Court changes each year. During this yearʻs selection process, applicants must be between the ages of 46 to 60 and will display lei making abilities, hula, poise, personality and public speaking in English and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.
“I'm so grateful for the strong sisterhood I now share with my princesses,” Llanos said in a statement. “We served as the Lei Court with the sentimentality of love and respect for each other, but also with the acknowledgement and honoring of our ancestors and the world in which we represent.”
The 98th annual Lei Day Celebration will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 1, at Kapiʻolani Regional Park. Ahead of the event, there will be free lei making workshops held on Oʻahu.
“To anyone that is considering being part of this ‘ohana, I invite you to join us in representing our community, our ancestors, and all those who find love and joy in lei making!” she said.
For more information about the Lei Court or applications, please contact Samantha Sun at (808) 768-3032. Apply at bit.ly/LeiCourt.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
