Hawaii's Lei Flower Industry

Abstract

into third among those states still producing the flower. Nonetheless, flower heads are still imported to meet seasonal demands, such as spring graduation exercises. The flowers are strung in a dense tress by removing the calyx and piercing the ovaries longitudinally to thread them on a string, while a looser “single” form is strung with the calyces intact. Depending on the style and flower size, 50 to 100 flowers may be used. Leis of miniature carnations have become increasingly popular because they weigh less and more colors are available. Once accounting for more than half the wholesale value of lei flowers, Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’ (‘Miss Agnes Joaquim’) slipped to 17% of the trade in 1990. Introduced from Singapore in 1925 by H.L. Lyon, a lei of this orchid flower won a $25 prize in a May Day lei contest in 1941 (Beaumont, 1951). but became widely popular after winning grand prizes in the 1947 and 1950 contests (McDonald, 1989). A flat style of stringing the vanda became popular in which the lateral petals were removed to leave only the large lip and cup. These were strong cup to cup, with the large lip petals alternating left and right. While the vanda is long-lasting and available year-round, it does not have the fragrance of some other lei flowers. Large numbers of vandas are required for the flat or maunaloa-styl e lei, although only about 50 are needed for stringing “single”style through their centers. Twenty years ago, the tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) accounted for only 4% of the lei flower trade. In 1990, it was valued at $981,000, or about 22% of the lei trade. Even this has slipped a bit; 1987 figures were $2.4 million and 45%. Susceptibility to nematodes, increased competition from other flowers, and more growers entering the market have accounted for some of the decline. Tuberose is powerfully fragrant and only a few are needed to perfume a room, so the wearer of a tuberose lei is sure to be noticed. Most of these leis are strung longitudinally, but a unique lei can be made by piercing the flower through the sides. Tuberose is often alternated with more colorful, unscented flowers, including chrysanthemum, globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa L.), or vanda or dendrobium orchids, as well as with minature carnations to lend a more spicy fragrance.