The Flowers Behind Hawaiʻi’s Leis

In Hawaiʻi, a lei is more than something beautiful to wear. Each flower has its own fragrance, character and connection to island life.

Pikake — Small, delicate white jasmine blossoms with an unmistakably sweet fragrance. Pikake was a favorite of Princess Kaʻiulani and takes its Hawaiian name from her beloved peacocks.

Puakenikeni — Wonderfully fragrant flowers that change from creamy white to golden yellow and deep orange as they age. Its name means “ten-cent flower,” recalling a time when the blossoms were sold for ten cents each for lei making.

Plumeria — One of Hawaiʻi's most recognizable lei flowers, loved for its soft petals, beautiful colors and light tropical fragrance.

Pakalana — Tiny yellow-green flowers with an intensely sweet fragrance. Pakalana leis are especially treasured because such small blossoms take patience to gather and string.

Maile — Unlike a flower lei, maile is made from a fragrant native Hawaiian vine. Traditionally associated with honor and respect, its long, leafy strands are often worn for weddings, graduations and other important occasions.

Together, these flowers and plants are part of what makes the tradition of lei so special—a beautiful expression of aloha, celebration and connection in Hawaiʻi.