Jazmin Li
If you're planning a trip to Hawaii and want to be greeted with a lei at Kona Airport, there are a few options available to you. You can reserve a traditional Hawaiian lei greeting, where a friendly island greeter will welcome you with a warm Aloha and a fresh Hawaiian flower lei. Alternatively, you can purchase leis from vendors at the airport, either at lei stands or from a shop directly across from the baggage claim. Prices for leis at the airport vary, with some costing $10 for plumeria or orchid leis, while others may be more expensive. You can also arrange for a lei greeting at your hotel or book transportation that includes a lei greeting. So, whether you're looking for a traditional welcome or simply want to purchase a lei to wear during your stay, there are options available to you at Kona Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leis availability at Kona Airport | Yes, you can buy leis at Kona Airport. There are lei shops and stands across the baggage claim area. |
| Lei types | Standard Lei, Superior Lei, Deluxe Lei, Candy Lei, Ti Leaf Lei, Tuberose Lei, Tuberose Mix Lei |
| Lei prices | $10 for plumeria or orchid leis, 2 for $10 for less fresh leis, $18.50 for lei greetings |
| Lei greetings | Offered by Hawaii Discount, Ohana Lei Greeters, HawaiianLeiGreetings.com, KonaLeiGreeting.com, etc. |
| Lei symbolism | Aloha, affection, respect, honour |
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What You'll Learn
Lei stands at the airport
Lei stands are a common feature of airports in Hawaii, including Kona Airport. The tradition of exchanging leis is a symbol of Hawaii and aloha across the world. At Kona Airport, there is a lei shop directly across from the baggage claim, where you can buy leis for around $10. The lei stands at Kona Airport offer a range of leis, including the standard single-strand flower lei, the superior lei with more flowers, and the deluxe lei with three times the amount of flowers. There are also alternative options like the candy lei, the Ti Leaf lei, and the cigar lei.
You can also book a traditional lei greeting service at Kona Airport, where a greeter will meet you with a warm "Aloha" and a fresh Hawaiian lei. These services often include a personalized welcome sign and assistance with baggage claim or directions to your connecting flight. The cost of these lei greetings starts at $39 and goes up depending on the type of lei and the number of people in your group.
The lei greeting tradition in Hawaii is a warm and memorable way to start your visit to the islands. It is said that departing visitors would throw their leis into the sea as their ship passed Diamond Head, expressing their hope to return to Hawaii someday. Today, the lei exchange has become a worldwide symbol of Hawaii and its culture of aloha.
When visiting Kona Airport, you have the option to either purchase leis directly from the lei stands or book a lei greeting service for a more personalized experience. Both options will allow you to partake in this unique and special Hawaiian custom.
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Lei greetings at Kona Airport
Lei greetings are a traditional Hawaiian custom, symbolising aloha, affection, respect and honour. They are a memorable and warm way to begin your stay in Hawaii.
At Kona Airport, there are a few options for purchasing leis. There is a lei shop directly across from the baggage claim area, where you can buy leis ranging from $10 for plumeria or orchid, or 2 for $10 for less fresh leis. There are also lei stands in the airport where you can buy leis from local vendors.
If you want to arrange a special lei greeting for your arrival, there are companies that offer this service. Greeters will meet you with a sign and a fresh Hawaiian lei, offering assistance with directions or baggage claim. You can book a standard, superior or deluxe lei, with the option to add transportation to your hotel. You can also request a shortened lei for children.
So, whether you're looking to buy a lei yourself or arrange a special greeting, Kona Airport has options available to welcome you to the Hawaiian Islands with the aloha spirit.
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Types of leis available
You can buy leis at Kona Airport, either from a vendor in the airport or by booking a lei greeting service.
There are several types of leis available, including:
- Standard Lei: A single strand of flowers.
- Superior Lei: A fuller lei with double the amount of flowers compared to the standard lei.
- Deluxe Lei: The most lavish option, with three times the amount of flowers as the standard lei.
- Candy Lei: A fun alternative to flowers, with various types of candy in each lei.
- Ti Leaf Lei: Braided green leaves, said to be a good luck charm.
- Tuberose Lei: A fragrant lei with a stronger scent than the standard lei.
- Tuberose Mix Lei: Tuberose flowers mixed with orchid or plumeria. Due to shortages, tuberose flowers may be substituted with plumeria flowers.
- Plumeria Leis: These are generally available at Kona Airport for $10.
- Orchid Leis: These are also generally available at Kona Airport for $10.
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History of lei greetings
The Hawaiian tradition of lei greetings is a testament to the islands' rich cultural heritage and warm spirit of hospitality. The practice, where visitors are welcomed with intricately woven garlands, embodies the essence of 'aloha', signifying love, respect, and a connection to nature. The lei is a garland or wreath often made from flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, or feathers and worn around the neck.
The tradition of lei greetings was brought over by Polynesian settlers, and since the 18th century, Hawaiian lei greeters have welcomed visitors with fresh flower leis. During the early 1900s, arriving vacationers were showered with leis by friendly locals as they disembarked from luxury liners. As tourism increased, visitors began arriving by plane, and airlines arranged for lei greeters to welcome each passenger. However, as visitor numbers grew, this custom became less common. Today, lei greeters are available at major Hawaiian airports, and visitors can make reservations for this service.
The act of giving a lei is a ceremony in itself when done traditionally. The giver presents the lei by bowing slightly and raising it above their heart, allowing the recipient to take it. There are two unspoken rules regarding lei greetings: always accept a lei, and never remove it in the presence of the giver. Exchanging 'ha', the breath of life, is another custom associated with lei greetings, though this is rarely practised in modern times due to Western influence.
In addition to airports, lei greetings are also offered by resorts as part of their cultural activities programs. Local residents wear leis for various occasions, including birthdays, graduations, weddings, and funerals. May Day is celebrated as Lei Day in Hawaii, with many schools holding pageants.
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Buying leis for others
If you prefer to buy leis yourself, there is a lei shop directly across from the baggage claim area at Kona Airport. Plumeria or orchid leis typically cost $10 each, while less fresh leis are often sold at 2 for $10. You can also find lei stands in other baggage claim areas.
For a more personalised experience, you can hire a service to have your loved ones greeted and "lei'd" upon their arrival at the airport. This option may be more convenient if you are travelling with them.
Leis can be customised according to preferences and occasions. For example, they can be shortened for children, and you can choose from a variety of flowers, such as dendrobium orchids, carnations, plumerias, tuberose, or a combination of these. There are also alternative options like the Ti Leaf Lei, considered a good luck charm, or the Candy Lei, which is perfect for kids.
Surprising your family or friends with a lei greeting is a wonderful way to begin their Hawaiian holiday and ensure they feel the warmth and aloha spirit of the islands.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy leis at Kona Airport. There is a lei shop directly across from the baggage claim.
You can buy standard leis, superior leis, deluxe leis, candy leis, ti leaf leis, and tuberose leis.
Leis at Kona Airport typically cost $10 for plumeria or orchid. Less fresh leis are 2 for $10.
Yes, you can pre-order leis for your arrival at Kona Airport. There are several companies that offer this service, including Ohana Lei Greeters and Big Island Hawaiian Lei Greetings.
No, leis are available at other airports in Hawaii, including Honolulu Airport and Kahului Airport. You can also buy leis at some hotels or as part of booking packages.
