Hawaii Celebrations

Although it seems like any excuse would do for a luau, such tropical-themed outdoor celebrations should be in full bloom this weekend, because Monday is the 30th anniversary of Hawaii's statehood. With plenty of resources at local party-favor shops and ethnic grocery stores--perhaps catering to the 150,000 estimated Hawaiians in Los Angeles--Angelenos can easily bring a little of the 50th state into their neck of the tropics.

While the rest of the world celebrates May Day on Thursday, in Hawaii it will be Lei Day. For centuries, leis have been synonymous with "aloha" in Hawaii. Polynesian voyagers carried them in their canoes when they discovered and then settled the islands 1,000 years ago.

While the rest of the world celebrates May Day on Thursday, in Hawaii it will be Lei Day. For centuries, leis have been synonymous with "aloha" in Hawaii. Polynesian voyagers carried them in their canoes when they discovered and then settled the islands 1,000 years ago.

Although it seems like any excuse would do for a luau, such tropical-themed outdoor celebrations should be in full bloom this weekend, because Monday is the 30th anniversary of Hawaii's statehood. With plenty of resources at local party-favor shops and ethnic grocery stores--perhaps catering to the 150,000 estimated Hawaiians in Los Angeles--Angelenos can easily bring a little of the 50th state into their neck of the tropics.