While I was walking Kalakaua the past two weeks, I saw several lei stands - of course in the International Market Place, but also in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, and in just about every other shopping center I went in. Most of the prices were about the same - about $6 - $8 for plumeria or orchid. I had fun at the Outrigger Reef. In the lobby, near valet, is their lei stand. The owner offers lei making lessons and you keep the lei. Instead of paying $8 for the plumeria lei, I made one to take home to my daughter and paid $5. It was a nice experience - she was friendly and told me lots of Hawaiian stories while we sat and made the lei.

My boyfriend stopped at a florist shop enroute to the airport when I had to go home :( and got me a tuberose lei (my choice because he's bought me those so many times before) and a crown ginger lei (his choice) that was absolutely beautiful. They are now hanging in my Las Vegas living room to dry out so I can save them - along with the gorgeous pikake and orange, feathery-type flower lei he gave me for my birthday while I was over there.

Reagarding weddings, the bride normally does pikake or a haku or head lei with her colors in it. Men generally get Maile with pikake wrapped around it. That being said, it is a totally a bride decision because as you know it can be a hassle (not to mention mess with the veil and the dress!) on such a special day and so one should be sure the bride wants lei before buying. (By the way, lei is plural just like that - lei). This is all making me very homesick. I would kill for the smell of fresh ginger or puakenekene!

Thats easy...At any of your local politician's Office!.....oops I am a bit dyslexic..I thought you said Lies...Never mind!
JOHN

Oh, man! A couple weeks ago I was at a function in Waikiki and suddenly realized I needed to bring a lei. So I ran out to Kalakaua Avenue and found a lei stand. A mock orange/he'e/lauhala lei that would normally cost me $5-8 was about twice the price there! :O I started moaning and groaning and begged the lady for a kamaaina discount but unlike the stands in Chinatown, she was in no position to haggle.

BTW, just wanted to share that my fave is pikake/pakalana. memmom, my bro loves puakenekene!!

Chinatown and look at different stores because quality can vary with how long the store has had the flowers in the case. I found a braided button flower lei, Purple & white seem to keep its color best when drying $12!!! Cigar leis $7-$10 also holds up well with drying. You want pikaki or Marquesian Ginger for the smell. I like buying a Pikaki strand in the airport when arriving only about $10 buck but oh the aroma!!! Nothing says welcome to Hawaii better than a pikaki lei in my mind.

oooh no Sarah! Pikake should only be about $5 a strand. Unless there's a shortage.....