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In Hawaiian mythology, Laka is the alluring goddess of Hula. In the Hawaiian language, Laka means gentle and to attract. She is known for being the creator of the esteemed dance and art form, Hula. This ancient dance allowed Hawaiians to tell stories with movement and mele (song / chant). Through Hula, the native Hawaiians were able to pass down their history from generation to generation. Laka is also known for being the goddess of fertility and reproduction.It is said that Laka is what causes …

When we first think of Hawai‘i, many of us fantasize about its white sandy beaches, coconut trees and of course, the idea of being welcomed with a beautiful flower lei. In Hawai‘i, a lei is symbolic of love, friendship and celebration – in other words, it’s a true symbol of aloha. Beautiful colors, fragrant scents and delicate petals, in many ways, the tropical flowers of Hawai‘i encompass the beauty and elegance of the Hawaiian culture. Oh, and did you know many of our favorite flowers actually …

The official flower for the island of Oahu is the yellow ilima (Sida fallax), which is among the most popular flowers used in lei making. It is also considered a symbol of love. Resembling a small hibiscus, the flower was used by early Hawaiians as a cure for general illnesses.

Hawaii’s official state flower is the yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei), also known in the Hawaiian language as the pua aloalo. All colors and varieties of the hibiscus became the official Territorial flower in the early 1920s. It wasn't until 1988, nearly 30 years after Hawaii was named the 50th state in 1959, that the yellow hibiscus native to the Hawaiian Islands was officially adopted by Hawaii’s legislature. The yellow hibiscus is among the seven hibiscus species native to the Hawaii …

Did you know each island is represented by its own beautiful native Hawaiian flower?Each of Hawaii’s official flowers is as unique as the island it represents. Typically, the color of the flower is linked to the official color of each island as well. From Oahu’s native yellow ilima to Molokai’s white kukui blossoms, these beautiful native Hawaiian flowers create a colorful, fragrant symbol of the state of Hawaii and of each of Hawaii’s main islands.