F is for Flowers

Hawaii is a floral paradise, and visitors expect to see lots of flowers. 

From orchids, bougainvillea, hibiscus, protea flowers that look like they’re from outer space to fragrant tuberose, heart shaped flowers that look like they’re made of plastic (anthuriums), and all manner of ginger and heliconia, and even lavender, Hawaii is great for flowers.

Duo of red hibiscus

Heart shaped plastic-y anthurium

Plumeria, fragrant, often in leis

Orchids, unknown variety

Red and pink ginger

Bougainvillea, beautiful papery flowers.

Fragrant tuberose or pikake in Hawaiian.

Exotic, space alien lilikoi or passion flower. 

Protea

Crown flower

Frilly red lace hibiscus

Lobster claw heliconia

Flowers are also used in flower leis and in adorning the hair.

Ready to go leis, in a store refrigerated case.

Floral misconception 1: Arriving to Hawaii, greeted with a hug and a flower flei.

Reality: Lei greetings at the airport still happen, but are no longer included with your flight. Nowadays, you pay for a lei greeting.  Or if you have friends and family in Hawaii, they will often bring a lei for you, especially if it’s your first visit.

Floral misconception 2: Tons of flowers everywhere you look, growing wild. Valleys and jungles full of showy wild orchids.

Reality: Well, there are a lot of flowers here, but it's a misconception to think it's like certain places in the spring when wildflowers explode everywhere. Some places on the Big Island have a lot of delicate wild orchids, punctuated by lots and lots of greenery. Hawaii is more green and lush than floral. 

Wild orchids growing in the wilder areas of Haiku.

Floral misconception 3: Everybody wears leis and women always wear flowers in their hair.
Reality: Leis are for special occasions, though easy to obtain, even at Wal-mart or Costco! They are a major symbol of Hawaii's culture. 

In the olden days of Hawaii, women wore flowers in their hair. Now women wear blue tooth devices. I guess that’s progress. Sometimes I see women wearing foam or silk flowers, yet there is something exquisite about real flowers in a woman’s hair. This is part of the romance of lu’aus, where women, not just hula dancers, often wear real flowers in their hair.

This is Ashley, who we picked up hitchhiking one day. She's from Maui and loves to wear flowers in her hair. This is not such a common practice any more.

Flowers still play a huge role in Hawaii's culture.

Aloha and mahalo for reading!

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