Those flower lei from your friends Hawaii wedding? You can take them home… usually. Be sure to ask the lei maker there are any citrus plant parts incorporated in the lei.

Can you bring leis from Hawaii to the mainland?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits certain items, including some flowers used in Hawaiian leis, from entering the U.S. mainland to protect against harmful plant pests. Please be aware that citrus-related plant parts include mock orange flowers and leaves, which are sometimes used in making leis.

How do you dispose of Hawaiian leis?

A lei should never be thrown away in the trash as it is considered disrespectful. It is customary to return the lei to the earth. You can either remove the flowers from the string* and scatter them in the ocean, bury them or burn them. Or simply hang the lei on a door or window to dry it out.

Can you bring a pineapple home from Hawaii?

Q: Can I take Hawaii-grown food home with me, such as pineapples? A: Certain fruits, vegetables and flowers are allowed for export, but they must be agriculturally approved. You can find boxed pineapple and other goods in retail shops throughout Hawaii. You CANNOT pick fruit or flowers in Hawaii and take them home.

Can I take a plant home from Hawaii?

Travelers: You must present all food, plants, and other agricultural items to the USDA inspector at the airport before you leave Hawaii. If your items are generally allowed, the inspector will check them to make sure they are free from pests and disease before you begin your trip to the U.S. mainland.

Can you take shells from Hawaii?

So while it is not illegal to take shells from Hawaii, you are not likely to find many good ones. 4 reviews. According to the Division of Land and Natural Resources, taking small amounts of sand, dead coral, rocks or other marine deposits for personal, noncommercial use is allowed.

What can you not bring back from Hawaii?

Items from Hawaii that travelers may NOT bring to the U.S. mainland:Fresh fruits and vegetables, except for those listed above as permitted.Berries of any kind, including whole fresh coffee berries (aka, coffee cherries) and sea grapes.Cactus plants or cactus plant parts.Cotton and cotton bolls.More items •Jul 17, 2019

Is it offensive to wear a lei?

Open leis are worn with the middle of the lei hanging in the middle of the neck and the open ends evenly down the front. DO NOT refuse a lei when offered one. This is considered to be disrespectful. DO NOT wear a lei you intend to give to someone else.

How do Hawaiians honor the dead?

Many Hawaiians wear leis to funerals to show their love and respect for the departed. The leis can be draped around photos of the person being honored or can be draped over the casket as a sign of respect. Leis may be used to dress up a table at a service, or the funeral leis may be worn by family members.

What foods Cannot be brought into Hawaii?

However, Hawaii does not allow the following to be shipped into the State without prior arrangements for permit and/or quarantine, treatments, or certification:Pineapple and bromeliad plants and fruits.Passion fruit plants and seeds.Cruciferous root vegetables (radish, turnip, daikon, horseradish, rutabaga)More items

Is it illegal to take shells from Hawaii?

So while it is not illegal to take shells from Hawaii, you are not likely to find many good ones. 4 reviews. According to the Division of Land and Natural Resources, taking small amounts of sand, dead coral, rocks or other marine deposits for personal, noncommercial use is allowed.

What cant you bring back from Hawaii?

Items from Hawaii that travelers may NOT bring to the U.S. mainland:Fresh fruits and vegetables, except for those listed above as permitted.Berries of any kind, including whole fresh coffee berries (aka, coffee cherries) and sea grapes.Cactus plants or cactus plant parts.Cotton and cotton bolls.More items •Jul 17, 2019

What is illegal to bring back from Hawaii?

Items from Hawaii that travelers may NOT bring to the U.S. mainland: Fresh fruits and vegetables, except for those listed above as permitted. Berries of any kind, including whole fresh coffee berries (aka, coffee cherries) and sea grapes. Cactus plants or cactus plant parts.

Is taking shells from Hawaii bad luck?

Not only is it illegal to remove anything from a national park, but it is just unwise to trifle with Pele, the volcano goddess of Hawaii. A legend, referred to as Peles Curse, says that visitors who take rocks or sand away from Hawaii will suffer bad luck until the native Hawaiian elements are returned.

Can I take shells from Hawaii?

So while it is not illegal to take shells from Hawaii, you are not likely to find many good ones. 4 reviews. According to the Division of Land and Natural Resources, taking small amounts of sand, dead coral, rocks or other marine deposits for personal, noncommercial use is allowed.

What happens if you take rocks from Hawaii?

Not only is it illegal to remove anything from a national park, but it is just unwise to trifle with Pele, the volcano goddess of Hawaii. A legend, referred to as Peles Curse, says that visitors who take rocks or sand away from Hawaii will suffer bad luck until the native Hawaiian elements are returned.

Is it bad luck to take apart a money lei?

If you must remove it for practical reasons, it is polite to discreetly take it off and then hang it in a place of honor for all to see. It is bad luck to give pregnant women a circular lei because it symbolizes tangling of the umbilical cord. Lei are frequently worn at special celebrations, such as weddings.

What do you say when you give someone a lei?

Lei Etiquette Always accept aloha: Because lei are considered a symbol of affection and aloha, you should never refuse lei. If you must remove lei for whatever reason (such as allergies) do so discreetly.

What should you not say to a Hawaiian?

40 Must NOT Be Done Things While in Hawaii3) Dont Be in A Rush. 4) Dont Ignore Warning Signs. 5) Dont Speak Pidgin Unless You Know How. 6) Dont Honk Your Horn. 7) Dont Miss Out on the Roadside Scenery. 8) Dont Just Stay in your Hotel. 9) Dont Throw Plastics Anywhere. 10) Dont Tread on the Coral.More items

Do Hawaiians wear leis at funerals?

As a symbol of respect and love for the person who departed, many Hawaiians wear leis to funerals for loved ones. The funeral service area may also be decorated with leis. Photo of the departed person may be draped with leis. The casket itself may also be draped with leis to show respect for the person being honored.

Can you take sea glass from Hawaii?

In Hawaii, weve never seen such a sign or heard of any laws forbidding the removal of beach glass. And while a few will disagree with me here, remember that beach glass is actually trash. Its waste created by humans. Its not a naturally created mineral or resource of any kind.