As spring starts to come alive on the mainland, we see blooms of ‘pua’ [pronounced poo-ah] starting to come up. While at a farmer’s market on the mainland, you might find roses or sweet peas or daisies, but if you have ever been to a farmer’s market in Hawaii, you will find leis made with plumeria or birds of paradise. On your walks, you might find all different kinds of hibiscus and yellow and rainbow plumeria in gardens. Different pua have different meaning in various cultures….for Americans, different colors of roses mean different things (red means love, yellow means friendship) and in France, carnation flowers are used for funerals. It made us wonder with all the beauty of tropical flowers in Hawaii, what do our favorite pua symbolize?

Plumeria have an intoxicating scent and symbolize new beginnings (how appropriate for spring!)
Hibiscus represents beauty and joy
Birds of paradise symbolize faithfulness, love and thoughtfulness
Pikake is all about romance and love
Ohia Lehua symbolizes rebirth and strength of love. Ohia Lehua Day in Hawaii is April 25th. Ohia and Lehua were young lovers and the legend Ohia was turned into a tree by the goddess Pele for rejecting her advances. Read more about Ohia and Lehua’s story.

What are your favorite tropical flowers? Do you have any tropical flowers here on the mainland to remind you of your time in Hawaii? Share with us on social media on Facebook or Instagram.

Olelo

Hawaiian Word of the Week: Pua

She Lives Aloha

“Every day should be Aloha Friday.”