So, is it better to have a service show up and have my husband and son "lei'd" at Kona Airport or should I look for a vendor in the airport and buy them myself? We arrive next Tuesday afternoon...

None for you??

Are you flying with them or will you be there ahead of time to buy and greet? If you are flying with them - use a service.

http://www.leigreeting.com/

http://www.hawaiianleigreetings.com/kona-big-island.htm

I would hire a service. We flew into Kona ourselves for a week and then out again to Kauai. When we flew back into Kona for the next phase of the trip, my company had arranged a service. It certainly was nicer to be lei'd on arrival than not.

Wow so these days you have to pay a service for a lei greeting at the airport? When I went to Hawaii the first time in1972, it was just a lovely surprise. No payment , no advance arrangements.

Things do change.

I really don't want to fuss with anything more than collecting my luggage, getting the rental car, getting some groceries and getting into our condo when we arrive. I do like a pretty lei to wear out to a special dinner though!

I was just at the Kona airport. There is a lei shop directly across from the baggage claim, and it is easy to excuse yourself to go to the restroom and come back smiling with aloha and however many leis you need.

The leis are generally $10 for plumeria or orchid, or 2 for $10 for less fresh leis. (That's what I often get because we're just wearing them in the car and out to lunch. This time my g-kids wouldn't wear them...they are 1 and 3, though.)

I am speaking of the area used by United, but the other baggage claims areas all have lei stands right there, too.

It looks like the lei greetings are $18.50 each, so I think that's worth it to have a nice surprise for your family.

My husband and adult son would prefer I did nothing (ha ha...I've tried it before), but they would rather I did it than a strange lady in a mumu.

By the way, the Kona airport is VERY laid back. I love it!

"strange lady in a mumu" LOLOLOLO!!!!

Kailani, if you see this and happen to be at the Hawi farmers market

there was a lovely man who sold fresh lillikoi puree and unsalted smoke roasted mac nuts that are the best I've ever had.

If you run into him could you get contact info if he is willing to ship?

Muchos Mahalos and Safe Journeys

lnakauaidavidababy ... I will hope that we get the chance to go there. Sounds very interesting and will definitely look him up if we do!

Thanks!!! I am down to my last nuts for my last banana blue mac pancake!!!

There was also a great pie lady with an adorably shy yet precocious child!

An old mini report. . .

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...still-hell.cfm

Inakauaidavidababy, I am pretty sure I know who you mean, as I talked to a guy with great lilikoi puree at the Hawi market last March. I didn't try any mac nuts, though. If I see him next time, I'll get his info.

Thanks Kailani and DrDeb!