Can I take my lei home from Hawaii?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits certain items, including some flowers used in Hawaiian leis, from entering the U.S. mainland to protect against harmful plant pests.

Can you take leis from Hawaii to the mainland?

Before you buy a lei to take back to the U.S. mainland, ask the seller to confirm that it's free of prohibited materials. Learn more about what you can bring to the U.S. mainland from Hawaii on USDA's “Agri- cultural Information for International Travel- ers” Web page at www.aphis.usda.gov/travel.

Can you take your lei home?

So you might be wondering, can I bring flower leis home from Hawaii? The answer is yes.

What do you do with a lei when leaving Hawaii?

Never throw away your lei in the trash – that is like throwing the gift-giver's affection away. Instead, discard your lei by throwing it in the ocean, burning it, or hanging it in a tree. The idea is to return the lei to the area from which it came, which is a sign of respect.

What can I bring back from Hawaii?

Where can I buy Hawaiian leis?

What Cannot be brought back from Hawaii?

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits or restricts the entry of many agricultural products from Hawaii into the U.S. mainland, including most fresh fruits and vegetables and certain types of plants and flowers.

What Cannot be taken out of Hawaii?

RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED ITEMS:

Pineapple and bromeliad plants and fruits. Passion fruit plants and seeds. Cruciferous root vegetables (radish, turnip, daikon, horseradish, rutabaga) Corn on the cob.

Can you take a lei on a plane?

Can you take your flower lei on a plane back home from Hawaii? Most likely, yes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits certain foliage used in leis from leaving the islands to protect the mainland U.S. from harmful pests. Orchid and plumeria leis are okay to bring back from Hawaii.

How much is a lei at Honolulu airport?

Lei Greeting - $12 Per Lei / Per Person

The Hawaiian islands have a famous tradition of presenting fresh flowers to new arrivals to the Islands. It's part of the great Aloha Spirit and traditional Hawaiian hospitality. The lei is a physical symbol of the spirit of love, which surrounds the lei recipient.

Do you still get lei at Honolulu airport?

Your friendly greeter wears a purple aloha shirt and meets you outside of your flight's gate at the Honolulu International Airport. You will enjoy a traditional fresh flower lei greeting as it is placed around your neck, and then offered assistance to baggage claim or given directions to your connecting flight.

How long will a lei last in the fridge?

During busy times of the year or for particularly large orders we often bring our lei in on Fridays and Saturdays as well. How long do they last? All flowers differ, but generally they will last three to four days in the refrigerator.

What happens if you whistle at night in Hawaii?

“I like to whistle, but everyone around is like, 'don't whistle at night',” Heck said. “So I try not to, and I'm conscious of it.” There are many stories in Hawaiian folklore that tells of how doing so will lead to bad luck; one being that it mimics the sound of Night marchers, the ghosts of ancient Hawaiian warriors.

Can I bring home flowers from Hawaii?

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO...

All cut flowers and foliage, including lei, must be “certified pest-free” by USDA APHIS PPQ regardless of how they are transported from Hawai'i to the U.S. Mainland (U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS or other cargo shippers, as baggage or hand carried).

Can you bring Hawaiian flowers on a plane?

Fresh flowers are allowed through the checkpoint without water. For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?' page. The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

Can I take a pineapple home from Hawaii?

For the most part, we will accept one pre-packaged box of pineapples or treated papayas, per paid passenger, free of charge (subject to space availability) on flights departing from Hawaii to the North America. The box must not exceed 10 lbs in weight and must be pre-agriculture inspected.

How do you keep a lei forever?

To keep it the lei fresh, the flower lei must remain in a relatively cool temperature range 50 °F – 55 °F.

Do you need the star on your ID to fly Hawaii?

The "white star in gold circle" indicates the state has been certified by the Department of Homeland Security as compliant with Federal REAL ID standards. Individuals traveling domestically on a commercial airline will need to present a REAL ID compliant credential or another form of identification by October 1, 2021.

Do I need a Covid test to fly to Honolulu Hawaii?

Tips for Those Coming to Hawai'i

Travelers from the U.S. do not need proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test before coming to Hawai'i.

How much does a lei cost in Oahu?

It will cost between $35-$50 per person

If you want a deluxe lei or a lei made of kukui nuts, this may change the price as well. If you book your greeting along with a shuttle to your airport, it'll probably run about $15 to $25 for the add-on. What is this?

Can I fly with a lei from Hawaii?

USDA inspectors will examine your leis at the airport for prohibited items and any signs of plant infestation or infection. Help protect America's citrus and other agricultural industries. Before you buy a lei to take back to the U.S. mainland, ask the seller to confirm that does not contain prohibited materials.

When should you not wear a lei?

Last, but not least, there is one more taboo…it is considered (in Hawaii) impolite to give a closed (tied) lei to a pregnant woman. Many Hawaiians feel that a closed lei around the neck is bad luck for the unborn child. (Head Hakus and open-ended leis are acceptable to give to pregnant woman.)

How do you keep Hawaiian leis fresh?

Keep fresh leis away from heat sources and avoid temperatures below 45 F. Store them on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator. (A vegetable bin lined with newspaper works very well). Set your refrigerator on its warmest setting.

What is illegal to take from Hawaii?

Common Items from Hawaii NOT ALLOWED include: Sand. Shells, Sand dollars, Starfish. Conch shells.

What are the weirdest laws in Hawaii?

Is it a curse to take something from Hawaii?

Not only is it illegal to remove anything from a national park, but it is just unwise to trifle with Pele, the volcano goddess of Hawaii. A legend, referred to as Pele's Curse, says that visitors who take rocks or sand away from Hawaii will suffer bad luck until the native Hawaiian elements are returned.