Hawaii Flower Lei Face Competition from Cheaper Imports

Lawmakers seek to boost local lei industry as Thailand-grown orchids dominate market

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The vast majority of flower leis sold in Hawaii are now made with imported orchids from Thailand, where it is cheaper to grow and string them. Some Hawaii lawmakers want to help the local lei industry by requiring state agencies to purchase a certain percentage of leis made with locally grown flowers and by creating labeling requirements to identify Hawaii-made leis. However, lei sellers worry that such rules could make the leis too expensive for locals to afford.

Why it matters

The custom of giving and wearing flower leis is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, but the growing commercialization and demand for leis has led to increased use of imported flowers that may mislead consumers and undermine local growers and lei makers. Lawmakers are trying to find a balance between supporting the local lei industry and keeping the garlands affordable for the people of Hawaii.

The details

Hawaii lawmakers have proposed bills that would require state agencies to purchase a certain percentage of leis made with locally grown flowers and create labeling requirements to identify Hawaii-made leis. However, some lei sellers worry that such rules could drive up the cost of leis, making them too expensive for locals to afford. The vast majority of leis sold in Hawaii now use imported orchids from Thailand, where it is cheaper to grow and string them. Local lei makers have turned to non-native flowers like carnations and jasmine to meet demand, but lawmakers want to boost the use of fragrant, locally grown flowers.

  • The custom of giving and wearing lei has been associated with Hawaiian culture for centuries.
  • As Hawaii's population and tourism boomed in the 20th century, lei-makers turned to non-native flowers to meet demand.
  • In 2026, Hawaii lawmakers proposed bills to support the local lei industry.

The players

Kuhio Lewis

CEO of the Hawaiian Council, a nonprofit that promotes Native Hawaiian culture and business.

Darius Kila

A Native Hawaiian state representative who sponsored a bill to require a certain percentage of lei purchased by state officials to include flowers grown in-state.

Francis Wong

Owner of longtime Chinatown fixture Jenny's Lei and Flowers, who sources some flowers locally but also sells imported Thailand orchids.

Monty Pereira

General manager of Watanabe Floral, Hawaii's biggest florist, who says imported flowers help stretch limited local supplies.

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What they’re saying

“You don't come to Hawaii and not at least have a flower or a lei. For us to now be importing is not good. It's actually embarrassing.”

— Kuhio Lewis, CEO of the Hawaiian Council

“I really try not for us to give out orchid lei, specifically the purple Thailand orchid lei.”

— Darius Kila, State Representative

“People want pikake. That's the top flower in Hawaii.”

— Francis Wong, Owner of Jenny's Lei and Flowers

“The bigger threat is making it so expensive that the people of Hawaii cannot afford to enjoy something that's culturally significant to us.”

— Monty Pereira, General Manager of Watanabe Floral

What’s next

The Senate bill to create a work group to study how to protect the local lei industry remains alive and could lead to further legislative action.

The takeaway

The growing reliance on imported flowers for Hawaii's iconic flower leis highlights the tension between cultural preservation and economic realities. Lawmakers are seeking ways to support local lei makers while ensuring the garlands remain affordable for the people of Hawaii.