Can I bring a lei back from Hawaii?

It is also nice to take it home as a memento of your amazing Hawaiian vacation. So you might be wondering, can I bring flower leis home from Hawaii? The answer is yes. But you need to follow some steps to make sure your lei makes it home looking fresh and beautiful.

Can you take leis from Hawaii to the mainland?

Know the Lei of the Land

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 bring home flowers 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 can't you bring back from Hawaii?

Items from Hawaii that travelers may NOT bring to the U.S. mainland: Fresh fruits and vegetables, except for those listed above as permitted. Berries of any kind, including whole fresh coffee berries (aka, coffee cherries) and sea grapes. Cactus plants or cactus plant parts.

Can you bring a lei home from Hawaii to Canada?

Tropical flowers such as anthrium, protea and others without seeds in season are permitted into Canada. On leis, I normally purchase leis for the occasion. If it is just to take a lei, Orchids of various kinds are okay. Tuberose are fine.

Trying To Get Lei'd In Hawaii

Can you bring 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.

Can I bring plumeria from Hawaii to California?

For any Hawaii plants you wish to take to the Mainland, the best place to start is with your home state's department of agriculture, to see if it the specific Hawaii plant you want is allowed in. States such as Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Arizona, and California, have restrictions on importing plants from the Islands.

Can I bring coral home from Hawaii?

To keep it short and simple, the answer is no. Hawaii coral laws do not allow anyone to “take, break, or damage, any stony coral, including any reef or mushroom coral.”

Can you bring lava rock back 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.

How do you preserve a lei?

Leis dry best by hanging up with the flowers upside-down, just like bouquets do. If your home has high humidity, run a dehumidifier or air conditioner in the room while your lei dries. Your lei should be dry in a matter of weeks — sometimes as little as one week.

Can you fly with leis?

Checked baggage is put through a screening machine before flight check-in. Carry-on luggage is inspected at the security check point. Leis that have any parts of a citrus plant including leaves or flowers are prohibited, as are leis made of the jade vine or the Mauna Loa, a fast growing lily.

How do you send leis to the mainland?

Care and Handling for Lei

Do not mist vine (Maile), ti leaf or kukui leis. Place your orchid lei or vine lei in a plastic bag – such as a grocery bag. Keep cool or refrigerate until it is to be worn. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from drafts as much as possible.

How do you keep Hawaiian leis fresh?

Mist the leis with fresh water and put them back in the box, but not in the plastic. Store them on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator. Set your refrigerator on its warmest setting. Later, the lei may be dried out and hung up, or the leaves may be used to scent clothing.

Do you have to go through customs from Hawaii?

No Customs, no Immigration, no anything but TSA if you leave the secure area, and your luggage is checked thru to Tahiti. Hawaii became the 50th state August 21, 1959.

How long does a Hawaiian lei last?

Orchid leis can last for up to 5-6 days when properly cared for. Do NOT store in freezer! It is important that they are not too hot or too cold. If a lei looks soft, you may sprinkle it with water, place in a ziploc bag or plastic bag and put back in the refrigerator to revive the flower.

Do they sell leis at Honolulu airport?

Experience a traditional welcome to the Islands with a Hawaiian flower lei greeting at the airport! Your friendly lei greeter will wait for you just prior to entering the baggage claim area at the Honolulu International Airport, welcome you with a fresh and fragrant flower lei and offer assistance to baggage claim.

Can you take a shell from Hawaii?

According to the Division of Land and Natural Resources, taking small amounts of sand, dead coral, rocks or other marine deposits for personal, noncommercial use is allowed. However, Hawaii plays host to over seven MILLION visitors per year.

Why don't you whistle at night in Hawaii?

According to Hawaiian legends, some say these restless souls are looking for a way to reclaim their rightful territory or searching for a way to enter the new world. It has been said that if you whistle at night, you are summoning the Hukai'po, aka the Night Marchers, and if you hear their drums—HIDE!

Is it illegal to take volcanic rock from Hawaii?

HAWAII (CBS) – Tourism officials in Hawaii are reminding visitors not to take lava rocks home with them. Taking things from National Parks is against the law, so taking volcanic rocks from Hawaii's volcanoes is illegal. But apart from being illegal, legend has it that taking volcanic rocks from Hawaii is bad luck.

Can you take dead coral from Hawaii beach?

No. In Hawai'i, it is unlawful to take, break or damage, any stony coral, including any reef or mushroom coral (HAR 13-95-70), except as otherwise authorized by law by a Special Activity Permit for scientific, educational, management, or propagation purposes (HRS 187A-6).

Can I take coral on a plane?

Live corals in water and a clear transparent container are allowed after inspection by the TSA officer.

Can you take beach rocks from Hawaii?

It is against federal law to remove rocks from a national park, and against state law to take sand from any Hawaii beach.

Can I bring an avocado back from Hawaii?

Yes, you can bring avocados in your checked baggage when boarding a flight within the United States, with the exceptions for Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands noted above. You can bring as many avocados as you'd like in your allowable checked luggage.

Can I bring orchids back from Hawaii?

With the exception of gardenia, jade vine and Mauna Loa orchid, fresh flowers from Hawaii are allowed onto the U.S. mainland after passing inspection. "Once they are inspected, they have to be sealed up" in either a box or bag that can be closed, said Michael L.

Can you mail plants from Hawaii?

Shipping or mailing most fresh fruits and vegetables from Hawaii to the continental United States is prohibited due to the risk of introducing certain invasive plant pests and diseases. However, there are a few exceptions. Fresh pineapple and coconut are permitted after inspection.