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May 1st 2006. Lei Day.
Four stamps in a block of four and 2 mini-sheets were issued on May 1st 2006 to celebrate "Lei Day".
The first day of May typically marks the end of winter in the Northern hemisphere, and it has traditionally been an occasion for popular celebrations whether cultural, political or religious.
In Hawai'i, it is customary to give a lei at celebrations or in welcoming people to Hawai'i. The celebration of "Lei Day" began in Hawai'i in 1928. It was founded by Hawai'i's poet laureate Don Blanding (1894-1957), a Hawaiian resident originally from the state of Oklahoma. He worked for the Honolulu Advertiser and later the Honolulu Star Bulletin. His drawings, poetry and writings romanticized the Hawaiian islands. Don and a group of friends and acquaintances started the island tradition of wearing flower leis on the first day of May of each year.
"Lei Day" has since been adopted by the Hawai'i state and local government as well as by Hawaiians themselves. Today in Hawai'i, Lei Day is set aside as a day to celebrate native Hawaiian culture. The centerpiece of the celebrations is the lei-making competition in Kapiolani Park, which has three categories, including "Lei Kama'aina," for residents who have never won before, and "Lei Malihini," for visitors, and the main competition. There is also the selection of a Lei Queen.
After the competition is over, the leis are taken to Mauna 'Ala, the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu, and to King Lunalilo's burial site at Kawaiaha'o Church, Honolulu.
The $5 mini-sheet (above left) shows a drawing by Don Blanding, the founder of "Lei Day". This was drawn by Don using a pen with black ink in 1925. This drawing appeared in the first edition
of his book "Paradise Loot" in 1925 and has been colorized for this issue. It shows a kama'aina wahine of the era wearing a purple orchid lei and a hakulei (a smaller lei worn on the head) with yellow plumeria flowers in the background.
The $8 mini-sheet (above right) shows a painting by Don Blanding in conjunction with Earl Cohan-Challenger. This was painted in color in 1930 for the cover of Don's book "Hula Moons". It shows a native wahine of the era wearing a lei and a hakulei with another lei in her hand standing in the midst of a romanticized Hawaiian landscape.
The block of four stamps (above) show two leis. The outer lei is a lei made from purple orchids. The inner lei is made from shells and kukui nuts. An orange plumeria flower is in the center. The design covers all four stamps on a light yellow background. The outer edges of the block of 4 are perforated (perf 12). The two inner divisions between the 4 stamps are rouletted (roulette 5).
The special postmark for this issue depicts a lei. Purple ink was used. "Lei Day" is traditionally held in Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, O'ahu.
WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS ON ALL ORDERS
Technical details of the stamps and mini-sheets:
Colors: Block of 4 stamps ($2, $3, $5 & $8) and two mini-sheets ($5 & $8) - Multicolored
Size: 55mm x 65mm ($5 mini-sheet), 60mm x 85mm ($8 mini-sheet)
Stamps sheet size: A block of 4.
Perforation: Block of 4 - outer edges, perf 12. The two inner divisions within the block of 4 are rouletted (roulette 5). Mini-sheets - imperforate.
Mini-sheets and stamps design: Enelani.
Layout & Pre-press: Enelani.
Printer: Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Printing Method: 4-color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) printing process.
Sheet margin markings: HAWAI'I POST (top middle), "Traffic Light" showing 4 colors used in printing (lower left side), © 2006 Hawai'i Post (lower right side) & Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i. (bottom middle)
Paper: GPA coated white stock with water-activated gum on the back.
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