It’s a Kākou Thing.

WE’RE BUILDING TOGETHER

Revitalizing Hawaiʻi’s lei industry will take many hands across many communities. Thankfully, we have dedicated farmers, cultural experts, industry professionals, and community leaders to kōkua each other on this journey.

Lei Poinaʻole Board

  • Nalani Jenkins

    Treasurer, Vice Chair, & Co-Founder

  • Tracy Lawson

    Board Chair
    & Co-Founder

  • Brook Mahealani Lee

    Secretary

  • Sylvia Hussey

    Executive Director & Accountant

Advisory Board

  • Dr. Diane Paloma

  • Bernice Fielding

  • Denise Yamaguchi

  • Rick Barboza

  • Dr. Alberto Ricordi

  • Ken Kajihara

Advisory Board members bring a depth and breadth of experiences from our community, including, but not limited to agriculture, business, conservation, culture, education, fund development, government, horticulture, landscaping, marketing, non-profit, philanthropy and research.

Strengthening and Supporting the Hawaiʻi Lei Industry With a Grower Focus

Lei, a worldwide icon of Hawaiʻi

Although making and giving lei is rooted in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island culture, it has become an integral tradition in local Hawai‘i customs, ceremonies, and celebrations. Traditionally, lei were made with native flowers and foliage grown and gathered within one’s ahupuaʻa. Today, lei are comprised of materials found throughout Hawaiʻi and the world.

Listening to our community

BEHawai‘i board members created LPP after hearing concerns from lei-flower growers, lei makers, and vendors about the decreasing supply of local flowers and its drastic effect on the Hawaiʻi lei market. Lei Poinaʻole can be expressed in English as “the never forgotten lei” and evokes the feelings that one has when receiving or sharing a lei. With this knowledge, LPP is committed to embodying its name and upholding its kuleana to ensure that the Hawaiʻi lei industry and its people are never forgotten.

Garnering support for a better future

In 2022, LPP was awarded a three-year Federal Administration for Native Americans (ANA) grant. With a full-time team dedicated to strengthening the local lei industry, LPP seeks to support eight pre-existing and 16 new small and medium lei growers across Hawai‘i by 2025. Through community partnerships, educational programs, and a network of growers, makers, and vendors, LPP will foster relationships and create resources for future generations. Like a lei made of multiple materials of various sizes, colors, and shapes, LPP is bringing together different businesses, organizations, and individuals to support the sustainable growth and longevity of the local lei industry. In addition, LPP is ensuring the demand for local products by increasing awareness and generating demand for locally grown flowers, materials, and lei.

Support and funding comes from ANA Pacific Region TTA Center.