A lei is a profound cultural emblem, a garland or wreath that embodies the Hawaiian spirit of aloha. The act of giving a lei serves as a gesture of welcome, affection, respect, or celebration, marking moments from arrivals and departures to graduations and weddings. This tradition, brought to the islands by early Polynesian voyagers, involves meticulously stringing together natural materials, each one selected for its beauty, fragrance, or symbolic meaning. The materials used range widely, from common blossoms to rare native plants and even non-floral items, reflecting the diversity of the islands themselves.
The Most Popular Floral Choices
The floral leis most frequently seen today, especially in commercial settings or as tourist greetings, are chosen primarily for their durability and visual appeal. Dendrobium orchids are perhaps the most ubiquitous flower used, recognized for their resilience and long shelf life, often lasting up to seven days with proper care. These orchids are not particularly fragrant, but their availability in shades of purple, white, and green makes them a reliable and colorful option for bulk production. Their hardiness allows them to withstand the rigors of shipping, which cemented their status as the standard welcome lei for travelers arriving in Hawaiʻi.
The Plumeria, also known as frangipani, offers a distinct contrast, prized for its intoxicatingly sweet, citrus-like aroma. These five-petaled blossoms, which bloom in shades of white, yellow, pink, and red, are strung together using a fine needle and thread, often requiring between fifty and one hundred blooms for a single lei. The delicate petals are perishable and sensitive to heat, meaning a fresh Plumeria lei will typically only retain its peak freshness and fragrance for one to four days. This short lifespan makes them reserved for immediate gifting or personal celebrations.
Tuberose completes this trio of popular flowers, offering a potent, sweet, perfume-like scent that is much stronger than Plumeria. The waxy, white tubular flowers are often strung into a dense, rope-like double strand to maximize their visual fullness and fragrance. Despite their intense aroma, Tuberose is also a delicate flower that requires special handling and refrigeration to maintain its appearance. Like Plumeria, they have a short shelf life of only two to three days, making them a popular choice for those who prioritize fragrance above all else.
Traditional and Highly Fragrant Plant Materials
Moving beyond the common flowers reveals materials that hold deeper cultural significance and are often associated with traditional ceremonies.
The Maile lei is one of the most ancient and respected forms, made not from a flower but from the fragrant, dark green leaves and bark of the native Alyxia oliviformis vine. This lei is traditionally worn open-ended, draped loosely over the shoulders, and is often given to men, symbolizing respect, peace, and royalty. The Maile is revered for its woodsy fragrance, carrying subtle hints of vanilla and spice, and is frequently used in traditional wedding ceremonies to symbolically bind the couple’s hands.
The Pikake, or Hawaiian jasmine (Jasminum sambac), is a highly coveted and expensive material due to its small size and intense scent profile. The white, bell-shaped buds release a complex, sweet, and sensual fragrance. Because hundreds of the tiny, delicate blossoms are required for a single strand, the Pikake lei is often reserved for significant occasions like weddings or anniversaries, representing romance and love.
White and yellow ginger flowers are also prized specifically for their aroma, which is strong and wonderfully sweet. The white ginger variety, known as Awapuhi Keʻo Keʻo, is traditionally associated with affection and love. These soft flowers are meticulously sewn together lengthwise to create a stylish, single or double-stranded garland. Like other highly fragrant materials, ginger leis are delicate and generally last only about two days, necessitating prompt use after they are crafted.
Materials Beyond Flowers
Leis are not exclusively made of fresh flowers, as many traditional garlands utilize hardier, non-perishable plant and shell materials.
The Kukui nut lei is made from the polished, dark nuts of the Aleurites moluccanus tree, the official state tree of Hawaiʻi. The lei symbolizes enlightenment, protection, and guidance, often given to men because of its durable, masculine appearance. Unlike floral leis, which must be refrigerated, Kukui leis last indefinitely and are often kept as permanent mementos.
The Niʻihau shell lei is a highly valued, non-floral item considered fine jewelry, commanding prices comparable to gemstones. These leis are crafted from tiny shells (kahelelani, momi, laiki) found exclusively on the shores of the private island of Niʻihau. The meticulous process of collecting, sorting, and stringing these miniature shells can take months to complete, making the resulting lei a rare and expensive expression of traditional Hawaiian folk art.
The Haku lei, or Lei Poʻo, refers not to a specific material but to a technique of braiding or weaving flowers and foliage onto a base. This style is most commonly used for head leis (crowns) and wrist or ankle garlands. Construction relies on durable plant foliage, such as various ferns and leaves, to create a strong backing, into which colorful flowers are intricately woven.