Mōʻī o nā Pua (Floral Queen) – Thailiana Denise Leionaona Aipolani
This year we are honored to have Thaliana Aipolani serve as our Floral Queen, presiding over a year of activities relating to the preservation and perpetuation of our cherished traditions of the lei, and the environment within which it lives.
Her Floral Majesty is a talented hula dancer and is imbued with the knowledge and grace of the lei which has been passed down through the generations from her ʻohana.
The kuleana of the Floral Queen is to reign over the Lei Day festivities, participate in protocols, direct the giving of awards, dance hula at the festival, preside over the Floral Ball fundraiser, participate in other fundraisers, and help to promote the festival throughout the year of her reign. The Floral Queen should have skill in the arts of lei making and of hula, and be knowledgeable in Hawaiian Culture.
Her Floral Majesty will be accompanied by her Consort, Walter “Bruddah Waltah” Aipolani.
Kuhina Nui – Hōkūkauahiahionālani Fo
Our Kuhina Nui is Kahōkūkauahiahionālani “Sammi” Fo. A renowned hula dancer, she has performed and choreographed for many shows, including Elvis Presley’s and has shared her aloha for our islands throughout Hawaiʻi and North America. She and her husband, the late Buddy Fo, performed together on stage and radio.
The Kuhina Nui is selected from those who have previously served as Floral Queen. The responsibilities of the Kuhina Nui include advising and assisting the Floral Queen in the fulfillment of her duties. Should the Floral Queen be unable to fulfill her duties, the Kuhina Nui shall assist in the fulfillment of those duties.
Floral Guard – Spencer’s Invincibles
The duties of the Floral Guard are performed this year by the “Spencer’s Invincibles” re-enactment group under the direction of Joel Kelly. He is an avid period re-enactor, knowledgable in history of the American Civil War period and Hawaiʻi’s monarchy era.
“Spencer’s Invincibles” were a Hilo-based militia organized by Captain Thomas Spencer. Since the War of 1812, individual Kanaka Maoli had been serving in the United States Navy and Army. More served during the American Civil War. Many Maoli and Kamaʻāina had strong connections to New England, and ideological opposition to the institution of slavery, which the Hawaiian Constitution of 1852 had outlawed. By 2014, over a hundred Kanaka Maoli and Kamaʻāina combatants were identified from historical records.
Names of the Island representatives will be presented as the roles are finalized.
Now accepting nominations for 2019 Hilo Lei Day Festival Floral Court
Contact the festival organizers at Info @ LeiDay.org or 808-895-0850.