Flower power

It is true! Everyone does wear flowers in Hawaii!

Even though I was not greeted with a flower lei at the airport (which I secretly wished for) you see flowers everywhere. On clothes, in women's hair - and the real deal of course.

The official state flower is the yellow hibiscus (hibiscus brackenridgei), also known as the pua aloalo. Each Hawaiian island also has its own designated official flower.

The lei custom was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian voyagers. Leis were constructed of flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, feathers, and even bone and teeth of various animals. In Hawaiian tradition, these garlands were worn by ancient Hawaiians to beautify themselves and distinguish themselves from others. With the advent of tourism in the islands, the lei quickly became the symbol of Hawaii.

Of course I got some traditional clothes and was wearing a flower in my hair. Who does not like dressing up!

Fun fact: Aloha shirts manufactured for local wear are considered formal wear in business and government, and thus are regarded as equivalent to a shirt, coat, and tie in all but the most formal of settings