Those flower lei from your friend's 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 take leis from Hawaii to the mainland?

Know the Lei of the Land

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.

Can I bring lei back from Hawaii?

It is also nice to take it home as a memento of your amazing Hawaiian vacation. So you might be wondering, can I bring flower leis home from Hawaii? The answer is yes. But you need to follow some steps to make sure your lei makes it home looking fresh and beautiful.

Can I take flowers home from Hawaii?

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits or restricts the entry of many agricultural products from Hawaii into the U.S. mainland, including most fresh fruits and vegetables and certain types of plants and flowers.

Can you take leis to the mainland?

A: White or yellow ginger, tuberose, maile or orchid lei are fine as long as they pass inspection, but any lei containing fresh botanical fruits, such as berries or hala (pandanus) fruit or citrus leaves, including pieces of mock orange leaves in between kukui nuts or other lei, are not allowed.

Can I take my flower lei home from Hawaii?

Can you travel with leis?

USDA Regulations on Importation of Leis

Carry-on luggage is inspected at the security check point. Leis that have any parts of a citrus plant including leaves or flowers are prohibited, as are leis made of the jade vine or the Mauna Loa, a fast growing lily.

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.

Can I bring coral home from Hawaii?

To keep it short and simple, the answer is no. Hawaii coral laws do not allow anyone to “take, break, or damage, any stony coral, including any reef or mushroom coral.”

Is it OK to throw lei in the ocean?

Never throw away your lei in the trash – that is like throwing the gift-giver's affection away. Instead, discard your lei by throwing it in the ocean, burning it, or hanging it in a tree. The idea is to return the lei to the area from which it came, which is a sign of respect.

Can you bring a lei home from Hawaii to Canada?

Tropical flowers such as anthrium, protea and others without seeds in season are permitted into Canada. On leis, I normally purchase leis for the occasion. If it is just to take a lei, Orchids of various kinds are okay. Tuberose are fine.

Can I take a pineapple home from Hawaii?

For the most part, we will accept one pre-packaged box of pineapples or treated papayas, per paid passenger, free of charge (subject to space availability) on flights departing from Hawaii to the North America. The box must not exceed 10 lbs in weight and must be pre-agriculture inspected.

Can I take Plumeria home from Hawaii?

For any Hawaii plants you wish to take to the Mainland, the best place to start is with your home state's department of agriculture, to see if it the specific Hawaii plant you want is allowed in. States such as Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Arizona, and California, have restrictions on importing plants from the Islands.

How long will a lei stay fresh?

Orchid leis can last for up to 5-6 days when properly cared for. Do NOT store in freezer! It is important that they are not too hot or too cold. If a lei looks soft, you may sprinkle it with water, place in a ziploc bag or plastic bag and put back in the refrigerator to revive the flower.

Do you have to go through customs from Hawaii?

No Customs, no Immigration, no anything but TSA if you leave the secure area, and your luggage is checked thru to Tahiti. Hawaii became the 50th state August 21, 1959.

How do you keep a lei forever?

If your home has high humidity, run a dehumidifier or air conditioner in the room while your lei dries. Your lei should be dry in a matter of weeks — sometimes as little as one week. You can then spray it with a floral sealer or a coat of hairspray so the dried flowers won't break.

What do you do with a lei when leaving Hawaii?

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 I bring my wedding bouquet back from Hawaii?

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection website () is pretty clear about this. Yes, you may bring your bridal bouquet (or any other wedding flowers).

Is it disrespectful to wear a lei?

Any lei is appropriate to use because all leis symbolize love, respect and appreciation.

Can you take dead coral from Hawaii beach?

No. In Hawai'i, it is unlawful to take, break or damage, any stony coral, including any reef or mushroom coral (HAR 13-95-70), except as otherwise authorized by law by a Special Activity Permit for scientific, educational, management, or propagation purposes (HRS 187A-6).

Can I take a shell from Hawaii?

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. However, Hawaii plays host to over seven MILLION visitors per year.

Can I take coral on a plane?

Live corals in water and a clear transparent container are allowed after inspection by the TSA officer.

Can you mail pineapple from Hawaii?

Shipping or mailing most fresh fruits and vegetables from Hawaii to the continental United States is prohibited due to the risk of introducing certain invasive plant pests and diseases. However, there are a few exceptions. Fresh pineapple and coconut are permitted after inspection.

Can I take lava rock from Hawaii?

HAWAII (CBS) – Tourism officials in Hawaii are reminding visitors not to take lava rocks home with them. Taking things from National Parks is against the law, so taking volcanic rocks from Hawaii's volcanoes is illegal. But apart from being illegal, legend has it that taking volcanic rocks from Hawaii is bad luck.

What happens if you take rocks from Hawaii?

A legend, referred to as Pele's Curse, says that visitors who take rocks or sand away from Hawaii will suffer bad luck until the native Hawaiian elements are returned. However, while Pele is the source of a number of legends, Pele's Curse is a relatively modern invention.

Do you get a lei when you get off the plane in Hawaii?

Make Your Hawaiian Vacation special from the moment you step off the plane! Experience true Hawaiian hospitality as you are greeted with a fresh flower lei and a warm “aloha!” An airport lei greeting sets the tone for your entire Hawaiian vacation.