Today's NYT Strands is live for Friday, May 1, 2026 (Puzzle #789). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "I love Hawaii"
What It Really Means
This puzzle is a love letter to the Hawaiian Islands. Every word ties directly to the culture, cuisine, and iconic imagery associated with Hawaii. Think tropical flavors, traditional performances, and the unmistakable aloha spirit.
Think About...
- Food and drinks you'd find at a Hawaiian gathering
- Traditional dance, music, and instruments of the islands
- Fruits and nuts native to or synonymous with Hawaii
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Vertical (up and across)
Letter Count: 11 letters
Starting Zone: Last row, first column (bottom-left corner)
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This is the warm, welcoming essence that makes Hawaii famous. It's more than a greeting -- it's a way of life.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Think of the word tourists hear the moment they step off the plane in Honolulu. It's the spirit of the islands, often paired with a lei.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is A, last letter is T
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ALOHASPIRIT
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A raw fish dish that took the mainland by storm
Closer: Cubed, marinated, and served over rice -- this Hawaiian staple is now a global favorite
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 4 letters total
Answer
POKE
Word 2
Vague: A dance that tells a story through hip movements and hand gestures
Closer: This traditional Hawaiian dance is performed at luaus and celebrations, often accompanied by chant or music
Letter Clue: Starts with H, 4 letters total
Answer
HULA
Word 3
Vague: A party with roasted pig, music, and dancing under the stars
Closer: This traditional Hawaiian feast brings communities together to share food, stories, and celebration
Letter Clue: Starts with L, 4 letters total
Answer
LUAU
Word 4
Vague: A spiky tropical fruit that crowns pizzas and smoothies
Closer: Sweet, yellow, and synonymous with tropical hospitality -- often hollowed out and filled with drinks
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 9 letters total
Answer
PINEAPPLE
Word 5
Vague: A crunchy nut native to the Hawaiian islands
Closer: These rich, buttery nuts are grown on volcanic soil and often coated in chocolate or honey
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 9 letters total
Answer
MACADAMIA
Word 6
Vague: A small string instrument that sounds like the islands
Closer: Four strings, a tiny body, and a bright cheerful sound -- this Portuguese-descended instrument became a Hawaiian icon
Letter Clue: Starts with U, 7 letters total
Answer
UKULELE
Full Answers
Spangram: ALOHASPIRIT
Theme Words:
- POKE
- HULA
- LUAU
- PINEAPPLE
- MACADAMIA
- UKULELE
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: MACADAMIA (Nine letters and less immediately obvious than POKE or HULA, especially if you haven't encountered the nut spelled out recently)
Our Take: A breezy Friday puzzle that leans into the tourist-board version of Hawaii -- familiar, fun, and unlikely to frustrate. The spangram ALOHASPIRIT is a generous hint in itself, setting up a theme that anyone who has seen a Hawaiian postcard can solve. If you were hoping for a challenge, this one wraps up fast. If you wanted a warm island escape from your screen, mission accomplished.
