Hawaii Lawmakers Aim to Boost Local Lei Production

Proposed legislation seeks to promote use of Hawaii-grown flowers in traditional flower garlands.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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Hawaii lawmakers are considering measures to support the local lei industry and promote the use of flowers grown in the state, rather than imported blooms from Thailand, in the traditional Hawaiian flower garlands. The proposals include labeling requirements to identify Hawaii-made lei and restrictions on state agencies purchasing imported lei, though some lei sellers worry such rules could make the garlands too expensive for residents.

Why it matters

Lei are deeply ingrained in Hawaiian culture, representing love and the spirit of 'aloha.' However, the vast majority of lei sold in Hawaii now use imported flowers, which some see as an embarrassment and a threat to the local lei-making industry and cultural traditions.

The details

Hawaii lawmakers have proposed bills that would require a certain percentage of lei purchased by state officials to include flowers grown in-state, and mandate labels telling customers where the flowers were grown. The goal is to support local flower growers and lei makers, who have struggled to keep up with soaring demand as Hawaii's population and tourism have boomed. While local flowers like puakenikeni, ginger and tuberose are preferred, imported blooms like Thailand orchids and carnations are often used to supplement limited local supplies, especially during seasonal shortages. Some worry that restricting imported flowers could drive up lei prices and price them out of reach for many residents.

  • In 2026, Hawaii state lawmakers introduced bills to regulate the lei industry.
  • The Senate bill remains alive, calling for a work group to study how to protect 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 Democratic state representative from west Oahu who sponsored a bill to require a certain percentage of lei purchased by state officials to include locally grown flowers.

Mei Mei Say

Owner of M.P. Lei Shop in Honolulu's Chinatown.

Francis Wong

Owner of longtime Chinatown fixture Jenny's Lei and Flowers.

Monty Pereira

General manager of Watanabe Floral, Hawaii's biggest florist.

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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 (Cleveland.com)

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

— Darius Kila, State Representative (Cleveland.com)

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

— Francis Wong, Owner of Jenny's Lei and Flowers (Cleveland.com)

“If like 30 lei stands and florists are fighting for the same lei, that's when lei is going to start to be $100, $150, $200.”

— Monty Pereira, General Manager of Watanabe Floral (Cleveland.com)

“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 (Cleveland.com)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

Hawaii's lawmakers are grappling with how to balance the demand for affordable lei with the desire to support the local lei-making industry and preserve the cultural significance of these traditional flower garlands. Striking the right balance will be crucial in ensuring lei remain accessible to all residents while also promoting the use of locally grown flowers.