Hawaii
Exploring the extraordinary tradition of Hawaiian lei making:
From its golden sun to its turquoise surf, Hawaii can always take your breath away. But it’s the colorful leis that may dazzle the most.
The island’s exquisite array of flowers, valued for their fragrances, are harvested by Hawaiians for the ancient tradition of lei making.
Hawaii native Meleana Estes picks flowers – like the valued flower puakenikeni, known as the perfume flower tree ten cent flower – to create a colorful palette for her leis. A single lei can use 300 individual flowers and take hours to make.
An “expression of aloha”
Hawaiians have been proudly sewing leis for more than 1,000 years. It’s a tradition that was introduced by early Polynesian settlers who wore garlands around their necks or heads as a gesture of respect for the gods.
There’s never a wrong time to bestow someone with a lei, Estes says. Today, Hawaiians hand out leis for nearly every occasion – from weddings to funerals, to airport pickups and beyond.
“Really a lei is your expression of aloha. Your love,” Estes explained, adding that it can also show a warm welcome to a house guest.
Estes learned the intricate art of lei-making from her grandmother or “Tutu,” and published a book called “Lei Aloha” to celebrate her traditions.
“She was very intentional. I feel like my Tutu would think about it for three days prior, you know, as she’d start gathering with intention for that one person,” Estes said.
With dozens ofspecies of flowers growing on the islands, the designs are endless. Estes makes extraordinary creations for family and friends using a long needle and thread.
“It’s beautiful, very architectural,” Estes said of the process.
You can see the colorful creations on display at the Annual Lei Day Celebration in Hawaii, held every May 1 since 1929. Dozens of master lei makers enter their work for a chance of being crowned best in show by judges, including Jamie Adams Detwiler.
“It’s really difficult” to pick just one winner, Detwiler said, noting that she looks for “what feeling” the leis bring to her and that they stay true to the lei method.
This year’s winner: a customary lei kui or sewn lei.
Getting creative
But while lei making remains popular, its future could be in peril. Suburban sprawl has paved over many flower farms and climate change has overheated remaining land. An estimated 90 percent of flowers used in leis are now imported from countries like Thailand.
Andrew Mau, who owns a small Oahu boutique called ISLAND-BOY, where he makes leis from mostly family sourced flowers, said he’s seeing the impact firsthand.
“Everybody’s personal lei making stash or, you know, garden or mango tree or whatever you have, it’s been reduced,” he said.
The fact that a lei only lasts around two or three days has also added more stress on the island’s dwindling flower stock, forcing lei-makers like himself to adapt.
“We work with what we can get. Sometimes we don’t get enough flowers to make a lei. We use unripe fruit. An ornamental banana. We recently had someone bring in avocados from their tree,” said Mau, though he admits it breaks from tradition.
Mau’s work – particularly his “forever lei” – is so popular it regularly sells out.
“A forever lei is our response to the perishability of flowers. We work with wood beads – seeds, shells, nuts…it doesn’t have an expiration date,” he explained.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Chinatown businesses are participating in the annual Shop Around event on Black Friday and throughout the holiday season.
The Shop Around features deals on locally-made products and Hawaii-themed merchandise.
Roberta Oaks owns a shop at the intersection of Nuuanu Avenue and North Pauahi Street called Roberta Oaks Hawaii.
It releases new items specifically for Black Friday each year.
“We always love to put out a couple of new things on Black Friday,” Oaks said. “Our bamboo and chartreuse shirt this year will be a great Christmas shirt coming up.”
Local partnerships support event
American Savings Bank sponsors the Shop Around event, which Oak says is helpful for business.
“They’ve sponsored us for a few years now,” Oaks said. “They totally help us get print materials figured out. We’re able to hire a local artist to do our graphics, and then they also sponsor all of the tote bags that we end up giving away to customers on Black Friday.”
Focus on Hawaii-made products
Oaks’ shop features textiles, including aloha shirts, kitchen linens, and pouches, with a gift-with-purchase pouch promotion planned for this year.
The store also carries products from local artists, including blankets, jewelry made in the islands, bags made in Kaimuki, and ceramics.
“I’m really big on supporting local artists and other handmade items,” Oaks said.
She emphasized the importance of supporting Hawaii-made products during the holiday shopping season.
“Made in Hawaii products, it’s so important to support the economy here in the islands,” Oaks said. “We are a very self-contained place. Supporting local made products, keeps jobs local. And shopping small, shopping local really does go a long way.”
The Chinatown Shop Around event runs Black Friday and Saturday, with participating businesses offering deals throughout the holiday season.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
A U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands died Saturday after attempting to rescue children from high surf at a Kauai beach, authorities said.
Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz died after first responders pulled him from waters off the military installation along the Hawaiian island’s western shore, the Kauai Police Department said in a release Monday.
On Saturday afternoon, emergency personnel were dispatched to Waiapua‘a Bay near Shenanigans, a restaurant located along the beach at PMRF, after reports of a swimmer in distress, according to the release.
Authorities said Diaz had entered the water to rescue two children who were “struggling in high surf.”
“While the children made it back to shore safely, he encountered trouble in the water,” the Kauai Police Department said.
Ocean Safety Bureau and Barking Sands Fire and Emergency Services Department personnel rescued the 47-year-old from the water and undertook lifesaving efforts, authorities said. He was transported to Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea, where he was later pronounced dead.
Diaz reported to PMRF in October, according to the Navy. He previously served on the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross and at Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, among other duty stations.
His awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation and Kosovo Campaign Medal, among others.
Diaz enlisted in the Navy in 1997, according to service records. He promoted to master-at-arms 1st class in 2022.
Beth Sullivan is an editor for Military Times. Previously, she worked as a staff reporter for The Daily Memphian and as an assistant editor at The Austin Chronicle.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Not sure when the mall closest to you is open? This is your island-by-island mall guide to shopping during the holiday season of chaos and cheer!
Oʻahu
The busiest malls on Oʻahu include: Ala Moana Center, International Market Place, Kahala Mall, Ka Makana Aliʻi, Pearlridge Center, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikele Premium Outlets and Windward Mall.
Ala Moana
Normally open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the mall will extend their hours starting Dec. 5–although individual store and restaurant hours may be different.
The following hours are the holiday schedule:
- Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
- Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 29 to Dec. 4 (Normal hours) – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Dec. 5 to 23 (Extended hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
- Dec. 26-30 (Extended Hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Jan. 1 (Fukubukuro) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
During their extended hours, the mall will close at 8 p.m. on Sundays.
International Market Place
The International Market Place’s hours will not change for the holidays, according to their website.
Monday through Sunday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with varying hours for certain stores and restaurants.
Kahala Mall
Regular mall hours for Kahala are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The following hours are the holiday schedule:
- Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
- Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 29 to Dec. 22 (Regular hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 23 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
- Dec. 26 to 29 (Regular hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 30 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Jan. 2, 2026, the regular mall hours will begin again for the new year.
Ka Makana Aliʻi
Ka Makana Aliʻi’s hours will not change for the holidays, according to their website.
Monday through Saturday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, with varying hours for certain stores and restaurants.
Pearlridge Center
The mall’s regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The following is their extended holiday hours:
- Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
- Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 29 – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 30 to Dec. 7 (Regular hours):
- Mondays through Saturdays – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sundays – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 8 to Dec. 14 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 15 to Dec. 19 – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Dec. 20 to Dec. 23 – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
- Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Some stores and restaurants may operate with varying hours.
The mall will return to its regular hours starting Dec. 26.
Royal Hawaiian Center
According to their website, Royal Hawaiian Center’s hours will not change for the holidays.
Monday through Sunday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with varying hours for certain restaurants.
Waikele Premium Outlets
Starting on Dec. 1, the following are the extended hours for the center:
- Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – CLOSED
- Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Nov. 29 – 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Nov. 30 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dec. 1 to Dec. 6 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Dec. 7 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dec. 8 to Dec. 12 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Dec. 13 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 14 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dec. 15 to Dec. 20 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 21 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dec. 22 to 23 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
- Dec. 26 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 27 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Dec. 28 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 29 to 30 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) to Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Windward Mall
The mall’s regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Extended holiday hours are listed below:
- Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving) – Closed
- Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
Kauai
The busiest shopping areas on Kauai include: Kukui Grove Center, Poipu Shopping Village, Princeville Center and The Shops at Kukuiʻula.
Kukui Grove Center
The center’s regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.
Poipu Shopping Village
The village is open 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store hours varying.
Extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.
Princeville Center
The center’s regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.
Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.
The Shops at Kukuiʻula
Regular hours for the shops is 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store hours varying.
Shopping hours for Nov. 28 (Black Friday) are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Maui
The busiest places to shop on Maui include: Maui Mall Village, Queen Kaʻahaumanu Center, The Shops at Wailea and Whalers Village.
Maui Mall Village
From Nov. 17 to 23, the village hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.
Queen Kaʻahaumanu Center
The center’s hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.
The Shops at Wailea
Regular hours at the shops are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.
Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours or closures.
Whalers Village
The village hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store and restaurant hours varying.
Extended holiday hours are not yet displayed on their website.
Hawaiʻi Island
The busiest shopping places on Hawaiʻi Island include: Prince Kuhio Plaza, Queens’ Marketplace, The Shops at Mauna Lani and Waimea Center.
Prince Kuhio Plaza
The plaza’s hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Extended holiday hours are not yet displayed on their website.
Queens’ Marketplace
The marketplace hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday to Sunday.
Their website doesn’t display extended holiday hours.
The Shops at Mauna Lani
The shops are open on Monday to Sunday with varying hours for each store.
Their website doesn’t display extended holiday hours.
Waimea Center
The Waimea Center hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
Hours vary for each store, but extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.
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