Article: 10 Hawaiian Flowers and Their Meanings
10 Hawaiian Flowers and Their Meanings
1. Plumeria
The Flower of New Beginnings and Aloha
The plumeria stands as Hawai‘i’s most beloved flower, with its five delicate petals symbolizing sincerity, faith, devotion, aspiration, and surrender. Its sweet fragrance and elegant form make it a favorite for special occasions and lei-making.
2. Hibiscus
Hawai‘i’s State Flower
The yellow hibiscus represents the warmth of Hawaiian welcome and the islands’ natural beauty. Often worn behind the ear, hibiscus symbolizes grace and feminine beauty.
3. Pikake (Jasmine)
Princess Kaʻiulani’s Favorite • Love
Inspired by Princess Kaʻiulani’s beloved peacocks, pikake—fragrant and timeless—symbolizes love and romance. Our design is crafted in a Hawaiian quilt motif.
4. Lokelani (Damask Rose)
Maui’s Official Flower • Dignity and Strength
Meaning “heavenly rose,” lokelani was Queen Liliʻuokalani’s favorite bloom. This fragrant pink Damask rose has been cherished in Hawai‘i since the early 1800s.
5. Pāhoa (Anthurium)
The Heart-Shaped Flower
The red, heart-shaped anthurium symbolizes warmth and hospitality, its glossy blooms reflecting joy and lasting happiness.
6. Pua Manu (Bird of Paradise)
Joy and Magnificence
With brilliant orange and blue petals, the bird of paradise stands like an exotic bird in bloom—an emblem of celebration and tropical splendor.
7. Puakenikeni (Ten-Cent Flower)
Connection and Appreciation
Named for the ten-cent lei once sold to arriving steamship visitors, puakenikeni’s fragrant blossoms shift from white to yellow to orange over three days.
8. Panini o Kapunahou (Night-Blooming Cereus)
The Queen of the Night • Resilience and Rare Beauty
This “Queen of the Night” opens only once a year for a single night—a symbol of courage, growth, and fleeting wonder.
9. Heliconia
The Muse of Tropical Paradise • Joy and Vitality
Introduced from the South Pacific and tropical Americas, heliconias bring bold color—red, orange, yellow, pink, and green—to gardens across Hawai‘i.
10. ‘Okika (Wild Orchid)
Strength in Beauty
With only a few varieties native to Hawai‘i, orchids embody resilience and refined beauty, often featured in purple and white lei.
