Many of the brightly colored leis greeting visitors at Hawaii’s airports and resorts are now made from flowers grown thousands of miles away, often in Thailand, a reality that has prompted lawmakers in the state to consider measures aimed at restoring local flower production.

Lei have long been one of Hawaii’s most recognizable cultural symbols, traditionally presented as a sign of welcome, celebration or affection.

Yet the modern supply chain behind the iconic garlands has shifted dramatically over the past several decades.

Industry observers say a large share of the orchids and other blossoms used in commercial lei today are imported from overseas growers, where large-scale production can deliver flowers more cheaply than local farms.

Thailand has become one of the most significant sources of these imports, exporting vast quantities of orchids and other tropical flowers that are widely used in Hawaii’s tourism industry.

The blossoms are typically shipped to the islands in bulk and then assembled into lei by local businesses, preserving the craft tradition while relying heavily on foreign-grown materials.

The trend has raised concerns among policymakers and agricultural advocates who argue that the dependence on imported flowers weakens Hawaii’s own floriculture sector and undermines an industry that once flourished across the islands.

Over time, high land costs, labor shortages and competition from large international growers have contributed to the decline of many local flower farms.

In response, some lawmakers have proposed initiatives designed to encourage the use of flowers grown within the state.

Among the ideas being discussed are requirements that certain government-purchased lei be made exclusively with locally grown plants and programs aimed at expanding support for Hawaii’s remaining flower growers.

Supporters of such proposals say revitalizing domestic production could strengthen rural economies while helping preserve a cultural practice deeply connected to the islands’ heritage.

By creating stronger demand for locally cultivated flowers, advocates believe the policy could encourage new investment in farms that produce plumeria, orchids, ginger and other plants traditionally used in lei.

The debate highlights the broader challenge facing Hawaii as it balances cultural preservation with the realities of a globalized supply chain.

While imported flowers allow businesses to meet the enormous demand generated by millions of visitors each year, they also underscore the economic pressures that have reshaped agriculture in the islands.

Even as the source of many petals has shifted abroad, the tradition of lei making itself remains firmly rooted in Hawaii.

Artisans and family-run stands continue to string the flowers by hand, ensuring that the ritual of offering a lei—symbolizing welcome, respect and connection—remains an enduring part of the Hawaiian experience.