Flowers in Paradise: Hawaii’s Stunning Blossoms

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

This post has been generously provided by Kerri Ioannou, who has lived in Honolulu for years since she moved back to be with her father’s family. An amateur gardener, she loves showing off her home’s profusion of Hawaiian flowers to her Australian relatives.

From yellow hibiscus to purple-tinged plumeria, there are dozens of beautiful flowers for travelers to admire in the Hawaiian Islands. As in most island groups in the Pacific, many of these flowers have long-held cultural significance.

Yellow Hibiscus

Each state in the USA has an official flower. Hawaii’s is the yellow hibiscus, and, as you’ll see at every Hawaii holiday destination you visit, this island paradise is proud of its official blossom. Also called the “hibiscus brackenrigel” or “ma’o hau hele,” the yellow hibiscus is most often grown now as a decoration or a symbol of pride. It’s also worth noting each Hawaiian island in the chain has an official island flower as well — Oahu’s is the pua ‘ilima, another cheerful yellow flower with broad petals. These official flowers are used to make welcoming and celebratory leis — garlands of flowers — to give to guests and other VIPs.

The yellow hibiscus has been the state flower since 1988, but hibiscus flowers of many colors have been used to symbolize Hawaii since the 1920s.

Plumeria

Also called frangipani, plumeria are another frequently seen ornamental flower on the islands. They are often included in leis and other decorations because they have a sweet scent in addition to their delicate colors.

In fact, it’s because of their fragrance that plumeria gained original significance in Hawaii. The flowers are not native to Polynesia, and are said to have been brought to the islands from South America more than 200 years ago. When they were first introduced, they were planted near cemeteries and came to hold a significance of death, renewal and later, perfection.

Lehua

One of the most common native trees in the islands, ‘ohi’a lehua, or metrosideros polymorpha, boasts tassel-shaped blossoms in vibrant reds and oranges. Another common flower or bud for leis, the lehua blossom holds high cultural significance because it is often associated with Pele, the goddess of volcanoes.

As one legend has it, Pele became infatuated with a young and handsome human man. Unfortunately, the man loved a different woman, named Lehua. As is often the case in divinity-human love legends, the goddess was unhappy to be spurned and turned the man into a tree. Lehua was so distraught after learning that her lover was now inanimate that the other Hawaiian gods took pity on her and changed her into a blossom so the lovers could be reunited.

Jasmine

Unlike Lehua, Hawaiian jasmine or pikake is not a native plant, but it’s such a pretty and sweet-smelling flower that you’ll often find jasmine woven into leis or planted near hotels for its nighttime fragrance. Jasmine came to the islands via India and Southeast Asia, but perhaps became associated with Hawaii because it was the favourite flower of Crown Princess Ka’iulani.

Bougainvillea

This popular decorative plant, known in Hawaiian language as “pukanawila,” is loved by decorators and homeowners because of its vibrant coloring and easy growth. Many of the non-native flowers on the islands, like the bougainvillea, show the state’s diverse history of immigration.

Bougainvillea flowers were first discovered in Brazil, and came to Hawaii with the Catholic missionary Father Alexis John Augustine Bachelot. Bachelot was ordered off the islands by royal decree several times, but his flowers stayed on.

Where to Enjoy Hawaiian Flowers

You won’t have any trouble finding glorious gardens of tropical flowers around the resorts and attractions of Hawaii. If you’re interested in learning more about the flowers themselves, you may be interested in visiting the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, on the Big Island, or the Honolulu Botanical Gardens. If the islands of Hawaii or Oahu aren’t on your list, you’ll find other botanical gardens on Maui and Kauai, too.

While in Hawaii, many travelers find it interesting to attend a lei-making demonstration to see how these beautiful blossoms are made into garlands and learn about the cultural significance of giving leis. Check the cultural programme at your resort or at the Royal Hawaiian Center shopping mall in Honolulu for dates and times.

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