While we’re tossing local phrases around like we know what they mean, how about—“I koolua nou I kahi mehemeha.”

In other words,  “Wear my love as a lei, and as your companion in lonely places.” In short, how to get a lei in Hawaii. No snickering, please.

Stringing flowers together is a centuries old tradition in much of Asia. Traditions continued to island cultures, eventually to Hawaii—and the lei.

Arguably the most beautiful of all flower strings, Hawaii’s leis are special. The loveliest aspect of a culture is also one of the most fragile.

“Often, lei recipients will have the lovely flowers stacked up past the nose to threaten visibility.”Each year, hundreds of thousands of leis are sold at local stands for nearly any occasion—from high school and college graduation ceremonies, to weddings, to any situation that calls for something special.

A lei in Hawaii is special. He he he he.

Often, lei recipients (particularly high school and college graduations) will have the lovely flowers stacked up past the nose to threaten visibility.

Origins of the lei remain uncertain but certainly passed down through Asian and Pacific island cultures.

In Hawaii, a whole industry has blossomed (please excuse that—I’ll be more careful next time) to industry status. No where in the world do flowers of all kinds, particularly the fragrant gardenia, orange blossom, ginger, orchid, and great granadilla, come together to form a giving bond of union which will last only a day or so—but last forever in memories and photographs.

Leis range in price from about $3.00 to $50.00, depending on the flowers used, the lei tying technique and complexity, and, of course, the season.

Interestingly, a lei can be made of nearly anything. Anything nice. Flowers. Fruit. Leaves. Vine. Feathers. Shells. Kukui nuts (popular and inexpensive in Hawaii).

“In ancient Hawaii, farmers wore leis in the field to receive divine blessings on the crops.”Modern society being what it is in Hawaii means changes have come to the lei. Leis today are often made of money, candy, airline liquor bottles, and bubble gum.

Ain’t progress great?

In ancient Hawaii, farmers wore leis in the field to receive divine blessings on the crops. Nursing mothers wore leis to transmit power and energy to off spring. Medical priests, the “kahuna lapaau” of Hawaii, used leis in healing rites.

Of course, the lei is as essential to a hula dancer as the hippy hippy shake.

Summary: A wonderful tradition in Hawaii. If you visit the islands, make sure to get a fresh lei every day.

Pros: Inexpensive, beautiful, fragrant; any occasion will do.

Cons: None. Get real, these are leis. You could complain?

Want to know the best places to eat in Hawaii? Click over to Ono Dining for totally biased reviews on Hawai's best (and not so best) restaurants.