The attractive carnation flower has a lively history and popular following in Hawaii. Because of the many different color choices and long life span, the carnation lei is a fashionable choice among locals and mainlanders alike. The most common colors offered are red and white. The double red carnation lei symbolizes (in Hawaii) respect and accolade and is usually given to the guest of honor. The red carnation lei was Governor George Ariyoshi’s (Hawai’i’s governor for most of the 1980s) favorite lei.The single carnation lei show glimpses of its rich green stem, while the double carnation lei is fuller—using twice the flower, and shows no green stem.
Tip: When ordering a carnation lei, you may request a white carnation lei to be “color-sprayed.” This is common during graduation for unique school colors—for example: Blue or yellow
Care: Sprinkle lightly with water. Refrigerate in sealed plastic bag or container.
