Plumeria Memories: Lei, Love, and My Grandma’s Yard
When people think of Hawaiʻi, plumeria is often one of the first flowers that comes to mind—its bright white and yellow petals, unforgettable fragrance, and soft clusters of blooms swaying in the breeze. You’ll see it behind the ear, tucked into hair, scattered on sidewalks, or strung into lei. It’s one of those flowers that feels like home.
Even though plumeria isn’t native to Hawaiʻi, it’s found a place here—both in our landscapes and in our hearts.
The Journey of Plumeria to Hawaiʻi
Plumeria, also known as frangipani, is originally from tropical regions of the Americas. It arrived in Hawaiʻi in the 1800s and quickly became a common sight in yards, parks, and cemeteries throughout the islands. It’s easy to grow, drought tolerant, and blooms generously—making it a favorite for generations.
Over time, it’s become part of the rhythm of daily life in Hawaiʻi. It’s one of the most common flowers used in lei today—not because it’s rare or hard to find, but because it’s accessible. Its bright, friendly color and sweet, nostalgic scent make it perfect for lei-making, especially in spaces where people are celebrating, gathering, or remembering.
It’s the kind of flower that reminds us of someone we love. The kind of flower that just shows up for us.
My Pilina with Plumeria
For me, that someone is my grandma.
She had a big plumeria tree in her front yard, and during lei season, hula dancers and lei makers would often stop by hoping to pick. But my grams already had bags waiting—full of freshly gathered blooms, ready to share. She never asked for anything in return. Still, people would often leave mangoes, papayas, or small makana as a gesture of gratitude. It was an unspoken exchange of aloha—one rooted in generosity, pilina, and care.
I remember climbing our brick wall to reach the flowers that hadn’t fallen yet. We’d collect them in her old Woolworths or Longs shopping bags—bags that were always repurposed, always full of something meaningful. Somehow, they seemed to hold more than just flowers. They held memories. Moments. A connection to a woman who gave without hesitation and loved in the quietest, most powerful ways.
More Than Just a Pretty Flower
As an artist, plumeria continues to show up in my work—not just for its beauty, but for what it represents. It’s a reminder that connection can grow through everyday acts of care. That aloha is often quiet and consistent, like blossoms dropped into reused shopping bags or fruit left on a doorstep.
Even though it’s not native, plumeria has earned its place in the stories we carry. For me, it will always be tied to my grandma’s yard, the smell of flowers in the sun, and the way something as simple as a bloom can bring people together.
Plumeria teaches us that pilina isn’t always about where something comes from—it’s about what it comes to mean, and who we become through our relationship to it.
Mahalo for reading. If this story reminded you of your own memories with plumeria—or the people who made them special—I’d love to hear. Leave a comment or come visit us in-store to share story, memory, and lei.
