Our guide to help you with the Strands #789 puzzle
Updated: May 1, 2026 12:12 pm
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Strands is quickly becoming one of the trickier daily puzzles from the New York Times, especially when the theme isn’t immediately obvious. Today’s theme is a bit more playful, and while it may take a moment to connect the dots, it comes together nicely once you spot the pattern.
If you’re struggling to make sense of the grid, this guide will walk you through a few helpful hints before revealing the full answers. If you need a nudge in the right direction, start with the clues below.
What is today’s NYT Strands theme? (May 1, 2026)
The theme for today’s Strands is:
Today’s puzzle difficulty
Today’s puzzle leans toward the easier side. The theme is fairly recognizable, but a few longer words can take extra time to piece together.
Strands hints for today
Here are a few clues to help guide you toward today’s answers:
- Think about cultural elements and foods tied to a tropical island
- You’re looking for items, traditions, and symbols from a specific U.S. state
- Music, dance, and cuisine all play a role here
If you want a bit more help, here are the first two letters of each word:
HU, LU, PO, UK, MA, PI
Spangram hints
Here are a few hints to help you find the spangram:
- It represents a mindset or way of life
- Often associated with warmth and hospitality
- It’s a well-known phrase tied to Hawaiian culture
- The phrase combines a greeting with a deeper meaning
Today’s Strands answers (May 1)
If you’re ready to see the full solution, here are all of today’s theme words, with the spangram at the end:
- HULA
- LUAU
- POKE
- UKULELE
- MACADAMIA
- PINEAPPLE
Is Strands harder than Wordle?
Strands can often feel more challenging than Wordle because there’s more to solve in each puzzle. Instead of focusing on a single word, you’re working through an entire grid while trying to uncover a shared theme.
That theme is usually the hardest part to figure out. Once it clicks, though, the rest of the puzzle tends to fall into place much faster.
