Popular and Traditional Lei Flowers
He hi‘i alo ua milimili ‘ia i ke alo, ua ha‘awe ‘ia ma ke kua,
ua lei ‘ia ma ka ‘ā‘ī.
A beloved one, fondled in the arms, carried on the back, whose arms
have gone about the neck as a lei.
Said of a beloved child.
(Pukui: 575-67)
Key to Species Classifications:
Native—Arrived in the
Indigenous—Native to the
Endemic—Evolved in the
Polynesian Introduction—Brought to the
Post-Contact Introduction—Brought to the
Naturalized—Not native to the
Pua ‘ohi.
Flower picking.
Chitchat.
(Pukui: 2710-296)
Aloalo Pahūpahū (Malvaviscus penduliflorus)
Common Name: Turk’s Cap Hibiscus
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to
Family: Malvaceae—Mallow Family
The Turk’s cap hibiscus reaches heights of about 13 feet (4 m), with bright red, tubular flowers that are about
The blossoms of the Turk’s cap never fully open, and so they do not wilt as easily as other hibiscus flowers. This makes them ideal for use in lei, which are often assembled Micronesian style, tied or woven into a flat collar. (See Lei Making Methods.) About 90 blossoms are required for a standard 40-inch (100-cm) lei.
The Turk’s cap is also known as the firecracker hibiscus. The term pahūpahū means, “firecracker,” and is a reference to the bright scarlet blooms of the plant. The Hawaiian term aloalo refers to various hibiscus plants, including several native varieties (See Aloalo in Native Plants and Ferns of the Hawaiian Islands, Chapter 8.)
[Photograph: Turk’s cap hibiscus lei]
‘Awapuhi Ke‘oke‘o (Hedychium coronarium)
Common Name: White Ginger
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to
Family: Zingiberaceae—Ginger Family
Along with the gardenia, the white ginger flower is symbolic of love and romance. The fragrant flowers grow to about 3 inches (8 cm) in diameter, with broad-lipped main petals and smaller side petals that give the flower a moth-like appearance. The plant may bloom year round, particularly in late spring and fall.
White ginger lei are sometimes referred to as evening lei because they are often strung in the evening to be worn that night. With a sweet, delicate aroma and orchid-like configuration, the blossoms are woven into the finest of lei, usually strung Micronesian style, tied or woven into a flat collar. (See Lei Making Methods.) About 125 buds are required for a standard 40-inch (100-cm) lei.
The white ginger plant grows to about 6½ feet (2 m) tall. The plant is widely cultivated, and is also found growing wild along some windward highways. It is also widely cultivated.
[Photograph: White ginger lei]
‘Awapuhi Melemele (Hedychium flavescens)
Common Name: Yellow Ginger
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to
Family: Zingiberaceae—Ginger Family
Yellow ginger is naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, growing in moist areas, particularly the montane forests on all the main Hawaiian Islands, with the exception of Lāna‘i. Yellow ginger is similar to white ginger (‘awapuhi ke‘oke‘o) but with yellow flowers. Yellow ginger is also said to have a more “nutty” fragrance than the white ginger.
Yellow ginger often forms dense entanglements. The plant was likely introduced to the
[Photograph: Yellow ginger lei]
‘Ilima (Sida fallax)
Indigenous
Family: Malvaceae—Mallow Family
Mentioned in Hawaiian legends and traditionally woven into lei for ancient royalty, the ‘ilima lei is the official emblem of the
The delicate, 5-petalled flowers of ‘ilima are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. The color of the blossoms varies from light yellow to deep yellow, orange, greenish, dull red or even copper colored.
The ‘ilima is a popular lei flower in the
Ola no i ka pua o ka ‘ilima.
There is healing in the ‘ilima blossoms.
The ‘ilima blossom is one of the first medicines given to babies. It is a mild laxative. Hi‘iaka, goddess of medicine in Pele’s family, used ‘ilima in some of her healings.
(Pukui: 2489-272)
Stringing a single ‘ilima lei may take 700 or more than 1,000 of the tissue paper-thin ‘ilima flowers. The domesticated form of ‘ilima is known as ‘ilima lei, and is the most common variety used in lei.
Traditionally used on the ends of the ‘ilima lei were the soft, green fruit of ma‘o (Abutilon grandifolium, hairy abutilon), or the cap-like calyx of the ‘ilima flower. ‘Ilima blossoms are usually strung straight through their centers using the kui pololei method. (See Lei Making Methods.) ‘Ilima flowers are sometimes interwoven with maile.
Growing commonly in coastal areas, ‘ilima is a low-lying plant that may reach heights of more than 5 feet (1.5 m) ‘Ilima blooms year round, particularly during summer. (See ‘Ilima in Native Plants and Ferns of the
The Hawaiian goddess associated with lei making is Kukuena, whose daughter Laka may take the form of ‘ilima. According to legend, ‘ilima was also the flower lei worn by the goddess Hina when she escaped from the cave of the monster eel Kuna Loa with the help of the god
[Photograph: ‘Ilima lei]
Kiele (Gardenia augusta)
Common Name: Gardenia
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to southern
Family: Rubiaceae—Coffee Family
Symbolic of love and romance, the gardenia’s Hawaiian name is kiele, meaning, “to emit fragrance.” Introduced to the
A Hawaiian proverb states, “Ke kololio ka hau o uka, ko mai ka nae ‘a‘ala o ke kiele” (“When the dew-laden breeze of the upland creeps swiftly down it brings with it the fragrance of the gardenias”), which is “...said of one who comes with happy tidings.”[i]
The wonderfully fragrant ornamental variety of gardenia common in the
A standard 40-inch (100-cm) gardenia lei requires about 40 flowers, which are usually strung straight through their centers using the kui pololei method. (See Lei Making Methods.) Before the blossom is strung, the calyx and lower part of the flower tube is removed.
A related species, Gardenia taitensis, is known as tiare. Tiare is native to the
[Photograph: Gardenia lei]
Kou (Cordia subcordata)
Indigenous (reclassified in 2001, previously classified as Polynesian Introduction)
Family: Boraginaceae—Borage Family
Kou was a traditional lei flower of the ancient Hawaiians, who also had medicinal uses for the plant. Until 2001, it was widely believed that kou was first brought to the
The crepy, bright orange flowers of kou grow in small clusters. The 5- to 7-lobed, tubular flowers are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in diameter, with a 3- to 5-toothed, enlarged calyx that contains the fruit.
The fruit is about 1½ inches (4 cm) in diameter and contains 1 to 4 white seeds. (See Kou in Seed Lei section; and Native Plants and Ferns of the Hawaiian Islands, Chapter 8.)
[Photograph: Kou lei.]
Kukui (Aleurites moluccana)
Common Name: Candlenut Tree
Polynesian Introduction; Naturalized in the
Family: Euphorbiaceae—Spurge Family
Kukui is the official emblem of the State of
In ancient Hawai‘i, the creamy white flowers of kukui were strung into lei, as were the leaves and the polished nuts. One common method of making a lei kukui was to braid the leaves with the stems and then insert the flower clusters. (See Lei Making Methods.)
It was said that kukui flowers seen floating in streams signaled bad weather arriving from that direction. A Hawaiian proverb states, “He kiu ka pua kukui na ka makani.” (“The kukui blossoms are a sign of wind.”)[iii]
(See Kukui in Island Emblems section; Seed Lei section; and Polynesian-Introduced Plants, Chapter 9.)
[Illustration: Kukui flower lei.]
Kupaloke (Polianthes tuberosa)
Common Name: Tuberose
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to
Family: Liliaceae—Lily Family
The creamy, white flowers of tuberose are wonderfully fragrant, making them a favorite for use in lei. The elongated flowers are tubular and somewhat star-shaped, spreading open at the mouth.
The flowers bloom on a spike atop the plant stem, which rises to a height of about 3 ft (1 m). Tuberose blooms year round, particularly from February to October.
A standard 40-inch (100-cm) lei requires about 40 to 50 blossoms, which are usually strung using the kui pololei method, lengthwise through the flowers’ centers. (See Lei Making Methods.)
[Photograph: Tuberose lei]
Lehua Mau Loa (Gomphrena globosa)
Common Name: Globe Amaranth
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to
Family: Amaranthaceae—Amaranth Family
Lehua mau loa has papery, ball-shaped blossoms that are about ¾-inch (2 cm) in diameter. Also known as lehua pepa (“paper lehua”) or leihua (“ball lei”), the blossom of lehua mau loa is actually a mass of small overlapping bracts (modified leaves) similar to a protea or artichoke. Japanese settlers called this flower “bozu,” which means “bald head.”
The most common color of lehua mau loa is purple, but the flower may also be violet, pink, rose, orange, white or yellow. The plant grows to about 24 inches (60 cm) and blooms year round.
Lehua mau loa means “Everlasting lehua,” referring to the flower’s ability to last a long time in a lei without wilting. Lei may be strung with fresh or dried blossoms, and are often strung in single strands (kui pololei) and may be arranged into a spiral pattern (kui poepoe). A double lei requires about 280 blossoms.
[Photograph: Lehua mau loa lei]
Lokelani (
Common Name: Damask Rose
Post-Contract Introduction: Hybrid cultivars.
Family: Rosaceae—Rose Family
Pua lokelani, the red flower of lokelani, is also known as the pink damask rose, or the rose of heaven. The fragrant lokelani blossom has a rich, velvety texture. The flowers are usually strung lengthwise through their centers using the kui pololei method. (See Lei Making Methods.)
An introduced species, the lokelani was brought to the
[Photograph: Lokelani lei]
Maunaloa (Canavalia cathartica)
Common Name: Pacific Beach Pea
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to
Family: Fabaceae—Pea Family
A coastal plant, the maunaloa vine grows in sandy and rocky areas and produces mildly fragrant white and pink, reddish, or lavender colored flowers that are about 1 to 1½ inches (2.5 to 4 cm) long. Maunaloa blooms year round, particularly from May to October.
Making a maunaloa style lei involves threading the pea-like flattened flowers (picked unopened) through the calyx. The flowers are strung with the keel extending outwards, and alternating sides (kui lau method). (See Lei Making Methods.) The keel and wing petals are alternated with the top petal bent back flat.
The maunaloa lei may be constructed with several spirals of colors in what is known as a composite lei, or ‘oni. The blossoms are sometimes strung into a double lei, which is strung in a circular pattern using the kui poepoe method and requires about 165 blossoms. The seeds of maunaloa were also used for lei. (See Maunaloa in Seed Lei section.)
It should be noted that the Hawaiian term maunaloa also refers to Dioclea wilsonii, whose common name is the sea bean. The sea bean is known to have had medicinal uses among early Hawaiians. It is thought to be a post-contact introduced species, though further research may reveal it to be native.
The blue and white flowers of Dioclea wilsonii were also used in lei. Dioclea wilsonii is naturalized in the
[Photograph: Maunaloa (Canavalia cathartica) lei; maunaloa (Dioclea wilsonii) lei]
Melia (Plumeria species)
Common Name: Plumeria
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to
Family: Apocynaceae—Dogbane Family
Introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in the 1800s, plumeria’s fragrant, star-like (5-petalled) blossoms (pua melia) are among Hawai‘i’s most popular lei flowers. The flowers are about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Aside from their wonderful fragrance, the plumeria is popular because it is long-lasting, easy to string and readily available.
Plumeria vary in color, and may be white, red, pink, yellowish, or combinations of these colors. There are numerous natural and cultivated hybrids of plumeria, with many variations in the blossoms’ size, color and fragrance.
Plumeria blooms primarily from March to October, and then the tree goes dormant during the winter months. The blossoms are usually strung lengthwise through their centers using the kui pololei method. (See Lei Making Methods.) A standard 40-inch (100-cm) lei requires about 45 to 55 blossoms.
Plumeria’s deer-antler-like branches grow readily when they are broken off and simply stuck into the ground. The milky sap of the plant is poisonous and should be avoided. Plumeria is named after Charles Plumier. Also known as the “temple tree,” plumeria is considered sacred in
[Photograph: Plumeria lei]
Nānū (Gardenia species)
Also called: Nā‘ū
Common Name: Gardenia
Endemic to the
Family: Rubiaceae—Coffee Family
There are three native species of gardenia (all endemic to the
Nānū is a small tree with a trunk diameter of about 12 inches (30 cm) and reaching heights up to about 20 feet (6 m). Nānū has shiny, dark green leaves and fragrant flowers that are smaller than the non-native Tahitian gardenia (see Kiele above). Known for its delicate scent, nānū was prized lei flower, and legends tell of nānū wound with maile (Alyxia oliviformis)and given to King Kamehameha as a tribute.
Nānū’s round, fleshy fruits are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter encasing many small seeds. A yellow dye (used for kapa barkcloth) was made from the fruit of nānū. The tree’s wood was traditionally used to make the kua kuku (wooden anvil) used during the second stage of kapa beating to separate and soften the bast fibers. G. remyi’s glutinous leaf buds were used as an adhesive.
As of 2002, G. brighamii had been reduced to less than 20 trees in six populations (on Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and Lāna‘i), and G. manni was reduced to about 85 plants in 27 populations in mesic (moist) and wet forests on O‘ahu. G. remyi is not currently listed as endangered, and grows in mesic (moist) to wet forests on
[Photograph: Nānū lei]
Nuku ‘I‘iwi (Strongylodon macrobotrys)
Common Name: Jade Vine
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to
Family: Fabaceae—Pea Family
The thickly textured blue-green or turquoise flowers of the jade vine are referred to as “beaked” flowers, due to their pointed beak-like shape, which is also sometimes described as horn-like.
The blossoms of nuku ‘i‘iwi are about 3 to 3½ inches (7 to 9 cm) long, and grow in long clusters up to 18 inches (46 cm) long. The flowers usually bloom just for a few weeks between February and June, though they sometimes bloom as late as November.
Nuku ‘i‘iwi flowers turn from blue-green to a lavender color, and are often woven into flattened maunaloa style lei, with the flowers threaded crosswise using the kui lau method, alternating their direction in a back and forth pattern. (See Lei Making Methods.) A standard 40-inch 100-cm) lei requires about 90 to 100 blossoms.
Nuku ‘i‘iwi is a twining climber that may exceed 70 feet (21 m) in length. A red-orange variety of nuku ‘i‘iwi is a new arrival in the
[Photograph: Nuku ‘i‘iwi (Strongylodon macrobotrys) lei]
Nuku ‘I‘iwi (Strongylodon ruber)
Endemic to the
Family: Fabaceae—Pea Family
The beautiful scarlet flowers of nuku ‘i‘iwi are narrow and curved, coming to a point. The flowers resemble the shape of the beak of the ‘i‘iwi (Vestiaria coccinea),an endangered native Hawaiian honeycreeper bird (nuku means “beak”).
Nuku ‘i‘iwi plants still survive at the lower elevations where ‘i‘iwi birds once lived, though avian malaria and other causes have now restricted the bird’s range to higher elevations. (See Nuku ‘I‘iwi in Native Plants and Ferns of the Hawaiian Islands, Chapter 8.)
[Photograph: Nuku ‘I‘iwi (Strongylodon ruber) lei]
‘Ohai (Sesbania tomentosa)
Common Name: Native Sesbania
Endemic to the
Family: Fabaceae—Pea Family
‘Ohai’s flowers are about 1 to 1½ inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) long, and orange to salmon red in color ( rarely yellow), growing in clusters in the axils of the leaves. ‘Ohai is an endangered, endemic Hawaiian species that was once common along the shorelines of the
‘Ohai is generally a low-growing woody shrub, though it may grow as a small tree, reaching heights of more than 20 feet (6 m). (See ‘Ohai in Native Plants and Ferns of the
[Photograph: ‘Ohai lei]
‘Ohai Ali‘i (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
Common Name: Pride of
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to tropical
Family: Fabaceae—Pea Family
‘Ohai ali‘i is an ornamental shrub that usually grows to about 8 feet (2.4 m) but may reach heights of 20 feet (6 m). Also called dwarf poinciana, ‘ohai ali‘i has prickly, coarse leaves comprised of numerous leaflets, each about ¾-inch (2 cm) long. The tree also produces scarlet and golden flowers, including a darker red variety and a yellow variety. The flowers are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.
The vibrant yellow and crimson flowers were said to remind the ancient Hawaiians of their colorful ‘ahu ‘ula (royal capes and cloaks) and mahiole (feather-crested helmets), so they gave the plant its Hawaiian name, which means, “royal ‘ohai.”
‘Ohai ali‘i lei are often strung using the kui poepoe method, which involves stringing the flowers crosswise and arranging the flowers around the string. (See Lei Making Methods.)
[Photograph: Pride of
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua (Metrosideros species)
Endemic to the
Family: Myrtaceae—Myrtle Family
Beautiful lei are woven from the flowers, unopened buds, liko lehua (young silvery leaves), and hua lehua (seed capsules) of the ‘ōhi‘a lehua tree. The most common species of ‘ōhi‘a lehua is M. polymorpha, easily recognized by its bright red blossoms (the stamens), which look like scarlet pompoms.
‘Ōhi‘a lehua blossoms may also be pale red, salmon-colored, orange or yellow (M. macropus). These bright-colored pompom-like structures are the flower’s many stamens (the male organs). The flower also has one pistil (the female organ). One rare variety, ‘ōhi‘a lehua puakea (or ‘ōhi‘a kea), produces blossoms that are a creamy white color.
Other flowers in the Metrosideros genus used for lei in ancient Hawai‘i include M. rugosa, which was known as lehua papa, and M. tremuloides, known as lehua ‘āhihi. (See ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua in Native Plants and Ferns of the
A Hawaiian proverb states, “‘Opihi kauwawe lehua o Hōpoe” (“‘Opihi covered by the lehua blossoms of Hōpoe”), meaning “...the fringes of lehua at Hōpoe fall into the sea, and are washed up over the rocks, hiding the ‘opihi.”[iv]
[Photograph: ‘Ōhi‘a lehua lei]
‘Okika (Dendrobium species; hybrids)
Common Name: Dendrobium Orchid
Also Called:
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to
Family: Orchidaceae—Orchid Family
The dendrobium orchid is one of the primary commercially produced lei flowers in the
Dendrobium orchid lei are strung in various manners, including folding the petals or removing the petals and stringing only the sepals. A standard 40-inch (100-cm) lei requires about 45 to 55 flowers, which are usually strung lengthwise through their centers using the kui pololei method. (See Lei Making Methods.)
There are at least 1,500 species of dendrobium orchids as well as many hybrids. The plant has a long flowering season and is also easily cultivated, making it very popular. Tough purple or white hybrids are the most commonly grown varieties for the cut-flower trade in the
[Photograph: Dendrobium orchid lei]
‘Okika Vanda (Euanthe sanderiana)
Common Name: Vanda Orchid
Also Called: “Miss Joaquim.”
Post-Contact Introduction: Hybrid of species native to
Family: Orchidaceae—Orchid Family
Vanda orchid blossoms are about 2½ inches (6 cm) in diameter, with three lavender-pink (purplish) petals and two white sepals.
The vanda orchid first came to the
The blossoms are also strung straight through their centers using the kui pololei method. The flowers are sometimes strung with the petals left on, or just the petals (cast offs) may be strung).
The ‘okika vanda was first introduced to the
Vanda orchids bloom year round, particularly during the summer months, with most of the production occurring in Puna and
[Photograph: ‘Okika vanda lei]
‘Oliana (Nerium oleander)
Common Name: Oleander
Post-Contact Introduction: Cultivar; originally native to southwestern
Family: Apocynaceae—Dogbane Family
The blossoms of oleander may be white, pink or red, and are sometimes strung into lei. Oleander is a poisonous plant.
The oleander lei was a favorite of the Hawaiian Princess Ke‘elikōlani, a stout woman whose strong character was said to have made her unafraid of the toxic nature of the flowers.
[Photograph: Oleander lei]
Pahūpahū (Pyrostegia venusta)
Common Name: Flame Vine
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to
Family: Bignoniaceae—Bignonia Family
A small bright-reddish, slender flower with a yellow tip, the pahūpahū blossom is often strung back-and-forth using the kui lau method. The blossoms are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and bloom year round.
The plant’s scientific genus name, Pyrostegia, means “Charming fire,” while the plant’s Hawaiian name, pahūpahū, means “firecracker.” The flowers are often strung in a circular pattern using the kui poepoe method. (See Lei Making Methods.) A 40-inch (100-cm) double lei requires about 450 pahūpahū blossoms.
[Photograph: Pahūpahū lei]
Pakalana (Telosma cordata)
Common Name: Chinese Violet
Post-Contact Introduction
Family: Asclepiadaceae—Milkweed Family
Brought to the
The ½-inch (13-mm) long, tubular blossoms of pakalana are traditionally strung lengthwise through their centers using the kui pololei method, and also sometimes through their sides. (See Lei Making Methods.)
About 150 of the small pakalana flowers are required to string one strand. A lei usually consists of several strands, which may be worn on the head or around the neck. The blossoms are most abundant from May to October. Though its common name is the Chinese violet, the pakalana flower is actually not a violet.
Along with lei of carnations and ‘ilima, pakalana was one of the most common lei sold before World War II at the port of Honolulu Harbor where the luxury liners of the Matson Company docked and unloaded visitors.
[Photograph: Pakalana lei]
Pāneki (Viola tricolor)
Common Name: Pansy
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to
Family: Violaceae—Violet Family
Pansies were first introduced to the
The Hawaiian word for pansies is pāneki, though the Kohala (paniolo) name for the flowers is pua po‘okanaka, which means, “flower like a human face.” The plants grow from 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.7 m) tall and produce blossoms of various colors including yellow, blue, violet and white.
[Photograph: Pansy lei]
Pīkake (Jasminum sambac)
Common Name: Arabian Jasmine
Post-Contact Introduction: Native to