Contestants are preparing for the annual event that determines who will earn a place on the prestigious Lei Court for the ...

Hearing the word "Hawaii" may drum up visions of ocean waves, soft sand and, of course, colorful flower necklaces, known as lei. A fresh flower lei is synonymous with a Hawaiian greeting and is part ...

It’s 9:30 a.m. on a sunny day in Honolulu, and Meleana Estes is sitting at her kitchen table, surrounded by flowers. We’re Zooming to discuss her new book, Lei Aloha—a celebration of Hawai‘i’s vibrant ...

This story is part of Hawai‘i, the Local Wa y. a package celebrating the food culture and traditions of the islands. Here, translator D. Kauwila Mahi details the rich history of leimaking. For Kanaka ...

At commencement time, new graduates don their decorated caps and gowns, waving diplomas as they smile for photos. But many graduates also wear lei — made from flowers, candies, or ribbons around their ...

The Hawaiian lei is known around the world. When visitors arrive on the islands, they're often greeted with one of these garlands made of perfectly blossomed flowers upon arrival. It's an iconic ...

Meleana Estes gathered stories from her grandmother and others on the art of making the islands’ traditional garlands. By Victoria Gomelsky In the 1990s when Meleana Estes was a teenager attending ...

A new generation of floral designers is incorporating fresh styles into their creations. Four leis by Andrew Mau, the owner of Honolulu’s Island-Boy boutique and a former furniture designer turned ...