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Hawaiian Leis: Orchids And Plumeria Leis
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Published: November 20, 2006
Hawaiian leis have a long history in Hawaii. They are a tradition of aloha and can be given as a symbol of honor, love, greeting or friendship.
The tradition of greeting newcomers and visitors to Hawaii began in the Polynesian Islands and Asia. There, high-ranking officials bore Hawaiian leis symbolizing their wealth and power. Their flower leis were not made up the plumeria or orchids as many know them today. Instead a high-ranking official often wore a flower lei made of ilima – an orange blossom requiring hundreds of blooms to make one lei strand.
The official flower for the state of Hawaii is the yellow hibiscus, known locally as pua aloalo. But each Hawaiian Island has its own special flower lei, which, according to the Hawaiian Lei Company, represents a harmonious marriage of texture and color. Since the state of Hawaii consists of eight islands, there are accordingly eight individual flower leis unique to each of the islands.
• Hawaii- Lehua
• Oahu- Ilima
• Maui- Lokelani
• Kauai- Mokihana
• Molokai- Kukui
• Lanai- Kaunaoa
• Niihau- Pupu Shell
• Kaho`olawe- Hinahina
While these unique flowers can be used to make leis, florists also use flowers like the orchid and plumeria. There are three native orchids in Hawaii: the jewel orchid, the twayblade and the fringed orchid. However, dendrobium orchids are the most common flower used to make flower leis. This is because of their durability and because this orchid blooms into a rainbow of beautiful colors.
Because the dendrobium is fragrance-free, florists may sometimes include a fragrant blossom like plumeria in their Hawaiian leis. Plumeria often is used in orchid leis because of its heady fragrance. The delicate blossoms usually are either pink or yellow, framed by pale white edges.
Unfortunately, plumeria petals are extremely delicate and florists often are hesitant with domestic (mainland) or international delivery because they are susceptible to heat and wilt under relative pressure. Few florists will ship them because of their delicate nature. However, the plumeria flower holds sentimental value for mainlanders and they often will order the flower just to smell its heady fragrance.
Dendrobium orchids, however, are not nearly as delicate, so they are a favorite among florists for the creation and delivery of flower leis. In addition to the ubiquitous single-strand flower lei, there are a variety of other styles to consider. There are double-strand leis; fishbone leis whereby the florist strings hundreds of orchids to resemble a fishbone necklace; orchid feather leis which resemble bird feathers; orchid head lei, also known as haku lei; and wrist or ankle leis.
Sources:
AlohaFriends.com. 20 November 2006. http://www.alohafriends.com/
Flowers of Hawaii. Media-HI, Inc. 20 November 2006. http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii/island+flowers/
McGuigan, Brendan. What are the Different Kinds of Hawaiian Flowers? Conjecture Corporation. 15 November 2006. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-kin ds-of-hawaiian-flowers/
The Aloha Tradition. The Hawaiian Lei Company, LLC. 15 November 2006. http://www.hawaiianleicompany.com/leitradition.asp x/
The tradition of greeting newcomers and visitors to Hawaii began in the Polynesian Islands and Asia. There, high-ranking officials bore Hawaiian leis symbolizing their wealth and power. Their flower leis were not made up the plumeria or orchids as many know them today. Instead a high-ranking official often wore a flower lei made of ilima – an orange blossom requiring hundreds of blooms to make one lei strand.
The official flower for the state of Hawaii is the yellow hibiscus, known locally as pua aloalo. But each Hawaiian Island has its own special flower lei, which, according to the Hawaiian Lei Company, represents a harmonious marriage of texture and color. Since the state of Hawaii consists of eight islands, there are accordingly eight individual flower leis unique to each of the islands.
• Hawaii- Lehua
• Oahu- Ilima
• Maui- Lokelani
• Kauai- Mokihana
• Molokai- Kukui
• Lanai- Kaunaoa
• Niihau- Pupu Shell
• Kaho`olawe- Hinahina
While these unique flowers can be used to make leis, florists also use flowers like the orchid and plumeria. There are three native orchids in Hawaii: the jewel orchid, the twayblade and the fringed orchid. However, dendrobium orchids are the most common flower used to make flower leis. This is because of their durability and because this orchid blooms into a rainbow of beautiful colors.
Because the dendrobium is fragrance-free, florists may sometimes include a fragrant blossom like plumeria in their Hawaiian leis. Plumeria often is used in orchid leis because of its heady fragrance. The delicate blossoms usually are either pink or yellow, framed by pale white edges.
Unfortunately, plumeria petals are extremely delicate and florists often are hesitant with domestic (mainland) or international delivery because they are susceptible to heat and wilt under relative pressure. Few florists will ship them because of their delicate nature. However, the plumeria flower holds sentimental value for mainlanders and they often will order the flower just to smell its heady fragrance.
Dendrobium orchids, however, are not nearly as delicate, so they are a favorite among florists for the creation and delivery of flower leis. In addition to the ubiquitous single-strand flower lei, there are a variety of other styles to consider. There are double-strand leis; fishbone leis whereby the florist strings hundreds of orchids to resemble a fishbone necklace; orchid feather leis which resemble bird feathers; orchid head lei, also known as haku lei; and wrist or ankle leis.
Sources:
AlohaFriends.com. 20 November 2006. http://www.alohafriends.com/
Flowers of Hawaii. Media-HI, Inc. 20 November 2006. http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii/island+flowers/
McGuigan, Brendan. What are the Different Kinds of Hawaiian Flowers? Conjecture Corporation. 15 November 2006. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-kin ds-of-hawaiian-flowers/
The Aloha Tradition. The Hawaiian Lei Company, LLC. 15 November 2006. http://www.hawaiianleicompany.com/leitradition.asp x/
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