Expressing aloha one lei at a time

a note from owner and lei maker - Jacqui Shin

Making lei began with my grandparents, Manabu and Helen Hongo. It was a craft that came naturally to them as they lived on the Big Island of Hawai'i, where the Hongo family nursery was located. At that time the floral nursery specialized in producing the Vanda orchid, which was then sold to local lei makers as well as to mainland floral suppliers. After my grandparents were affected by the 1960 tsunami that hit Hilo with tragic consequences, they decided to relocate to O'ahu. Once they were settled in O'ahu they started their lei business, called 50th State Greeters. My mother recalls learning and helping to sew lei from a very young age. Her skills and knowledge were invaluable when I decided to pick up the lei needle and learn how to make lei. In the beginning my passion for lei making began with sheer delight that I could now make the beautiful gift that I had always treasured receiving. A few years later when Grandma Helen or Grams (as all the grandkids called her) passed away, it was lei making that comforted me, giving my grief focus, an outlet that had a silver lining; because while I made lei and remembered my beloved Grams, I was also bringing joy to the person who would receive that lovingly made lei. That last part is a direct reflection of who my grandparents were, people who brought joy to others, who were generous with their love and aloha. And so I strive to do the same today with my little lei business, named in their honor - Hongo Florals. Thank you for allowing me to share my story, as well as my love and aloha with you... one lei at a time.