This year’s  May Day celebration is themed “Na ka Lani Alii” or “for the heavenly chief.” The program’s songs and chants will honor several of Hawaii’s alii or royalty.

Under the supervision and guidance of Kumu Queenie Loo and Carol Young, students in grades seven through 12 represent each of the Hawaiian Islands on the May Day court as princesses.

Hawaii island is represented by senior Shadee Edralin; Maui by senior Lindsey Ogata; Molokai by eighth grader Kaila Kawamura-Jeremiah; Lanai by seventh grader Victoria Zembik; Kahoolawe by seventh grader Alyse Glaser; Oahu by sophomore Alana Glaser; Kauai by eighth grader Kayla Oka; and Niihau by seventh grader Patience Friedman.

The 2016 May Day queen is senior Elizabeth Fischer.

This year each division will perform a “mele,” or song, in honor of a different monarch. Seniors will dance to “Waika” for King Kamehameha I; juniors to “Wahine Holo Lio” in honor of Queen Emma Naea Rooke; sophomores to “Alii Iolani” for King Kamehameha IV, also known as Alexander Liholiho; and junior high students to “He Inoa No Kaiulani” for Princess Kaiulani. The court princesses will perform “Ka Lehua i Milia.”

Classes of Kumu Jordan Asing, the Academy Hawaiian language, dance and chant teacher, will dance in honor of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani.

The lower school will have its May Day programs on the same day under the direction of Michelle Tuzon and Queenie Loo. Their programs are themed “Celebrate Life and Living in Hawaii.”

Each grade will dance to a different song, two of which are “Uwehe, Ami and Slide” by fifth graders and “Kuu Olakino Maikai” performed by the second grade.

The lower school May Day program will take place at 8:30 for junior kindergarten to second grade and at 10:30 for parents of students in grades three to six. The high school program begins at 1. All programs will take place in the gym on Apr. 28 and parking is available at St. Patrick School and via valet service on campus.