Maile Lei

We twine beautiful maile vines together to create this traditional Hawaiian lei. Rich green color and a wonderful fragrance make this one of Hawaii’s favorite leis. Add some color and fragrance with tuberose. The maile itself has a slight vanilla fragrance. This is an open Hawaiian lei that is worn over the shoulders. The length is about five feet in a single strand. This is a masculine lei worn by the groom in a Hawaiian wedding. This is also the one of the best graduation leis for men.

Contact us for availability in May and June. Please order in advance.

Adding a strand of tuberose makes this is a sensitive lei. You must read our Terms and Conditions prior to ordering. We cannot guarantee freshness with two day shipping of sensitive leis.

DOES NOT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA DUE TO AGRICULTURE RESTRICTIONS. If you would like an open leaf lei sent to California we recommend a ti leaf lei made in the maile style.

Because maile vines are not commercially grown, we like to have at least one day advance notice before shipping this lei. A week is better and safer. This rare vine is carefully gathered in the Hawaiian rain forest by local Hawaiians called ‘pickers’. We need time to properly clean it as well before it will ship. Inspections in California have led to delivery delays so we have chosen not to ship to that state.

The pronunciation of maile sounds like ‘my-leh’.

This lei is worn traditionally any time someone is to be honored, such as at graduation or a promotion, or for any right of passage, such as a birthday or wedding. It is more appropriate for a man. If you have visited Hawaii you have seen wedding couples on the beach taking pictures. The groom usually wears this Hawaiian lei. There are many Hawaiian legends associated with this vine. It is native to Hawaii unlike many of flowers used for making leis.

As a graduation lei any young man will stand out from those wearing smaller flower leis. This is also suitable for a retirement or any male guest of honor. It may be worn by all dignitaries at a business opening or groundbreaking.

This lei is also available with an added tuberose strand. This will add a lot of fragrance to the lei and some white color to stand out against the green. Fresh maile does have a slight fragrance of it’s own. The degree of fragrance depends on the location where it was harvested. The scent is due so a substance called coumarin which is also found in the vanilla plant.

We recommend you order at least a week in advance. During graduation season our supply becomes scarce so please allow us to substitute ti leaf done in maile style if you order too late. That way you will not be without a graduation lei a the last minute. The difference in price will be refunded.

How to Care for a Maile Lei:

For the longest life and freshest appearance of your lei, unpack your lei immediately upon arrival. Refrigerate until use. Do not freeze this lei, though it can be hung to dry after wearing.

Maile leis will last for about 5 days from the date they are made and shipped. The tuberose will brown much more quickly so consider that when ordering.

More about Hawaiian lei care