Live music and floral scents filled the air as the community celebrated Lei Day in Kalakaua Park on Saturday afternoon.
The annual celebration was missed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so to keep up with safety standards, the crowd and hours were limited.
Volunteers monitored the amount of people inside the Hilo park at all times. The smaller crowd was able to socially distance while learning how to make lei or listening to music from Ben Kaili and his band.
Kaili performed live music throughout the day, and three halau from the Big Island danced for the crowd during the celebration.
Event coordinator Leilehua Yuen spoke to the crowd to thank everyone for following safety protocols and attending the celebration.
“We have pulled together so hard to come through this with aloha by taking care of each other,” Yuen said. “Thank you for sharing that aloha this past year and being here today.”