Hawaiʻi House of Representatives celebrates inaugural Laulau Day

May Day wasn’t just Lei Day at the state Capitol in Honolulu.

Hawaiʻi House of Representatives also celebrated Hawaiian food and culture Friday, May 1, by observing the inaugural Laulau Day.

State lawmakers in 2025 passed House Bill 957 — which became Act 270 with Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green’s signature — designating the first Friday of May each year as Laulau Day.

The measure was introduced by Oʻahu state Rep. Darius Kila, seeking to raise awareness about laulau’s cultural significance while celebrating local farmers, chefs and communities that keep the tradition of the Hawaiian food alive.

“Laulau is more than a beloved island staple; it carries deep cultural and historical meaning,” said Kila in a release about the first Laulau Day observance. “Preserving and promoting traditional Hawaiian foods helps honor Native Hawaiian culture and ensures these practices continue to be understood and passed on.”

The Oʻahu lawmaker delivered laulau to legislators to mark the occasion on the day of final decking deadline for fiscal bills, before and after an evening floor session.

Act 270 states that laulau is one of the most popular traditional dishes to eat in Hawai’i. It’s made with pork or fish — sometimes both — wrapped in kalo or ti leaves and steamed.

“The preparation and consumption of laulau are cherished practices in Hawaiian communities, often shared at family gatherings, celebrations and feasts, serving as a symbol of unity and cultural pride,” the legislation states, adding that preservation and promotion of Hawaiian food traditions is essential to honoring the rich legacy of Native Hawaiian culture.

Preserving those traditions also fosters a deeper understanding of cultural practices passed down through generations.

Laulau also holds personal meaning for Kila and his family.

“Laulau helped sustain my family. In many ways, it gave us a path to remain here in Hawaiʻi,” he said. “It carried us through difficult times and helped put food on our table.”