You can get a real Hawaiian lei on the mainland. The trick is knowing where to order, what it should cost, and how far ahead to plan. This guide covers your options with real numbers, so you know exactly what to expect when a box of fresh flowers travels 3,000 miles from Hawaii to your door.
Flower Leis is a Hawaii-based lei shop founded by Hawaii-raised lei specialists. For more than 10 years, we string and hand weave leis fresh in Hawaii and shipped them by FedEx to all 50 states.
Where can you buy real Hawaiian leis online?
The freshest option is ordering directly from a Hawaii-based lei shipper such as Flower Leis. Your leis are hand woven and strung in Hawaii, packed with ice gel packs the same day they ship, and delivered by FedEx 2nd Day or Priority Overnight to any state. Airport lei stands and island florists serve visitors already in Hawaii. Online mail-order shippers serve everyone else.
What are your options for getting a real lei on the mainland?
Each route has trade-offs. Here is how they compare:
| Option | Freshness | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mail-order from Hawaii (like Flower Leis) | Made and shipped fresh from Hawaii | $15 to $100 per lei plus shipping | Authentic Hawaiian leis anywhere in the US |
| Local mainland florist | Fresh, but rarely Hawaiian flowers or styles | Varies widely; often special-order | Last-minute needs when style matters less |
| DIY kits and craft leis | Not fresh flowers (ribbon, money, candy) | $10 to $40 in materials | Personal, handmade keepsakes |
| Silk or artificial leis | Not fresh; lasts forever | $5 to $20 | Party decor and luau favors |
How much do Hawaiian leis cost?
Fresh single leis at Flower Leis run from $19 for a classic orchid lei to about $154 for a premium ti leaf maile style twined with tuberose. Most popular graduation and celebration styles fall between $24 and $60. Kukui nut leis start at $11.99. Bulk packs bring the per-lei price down: a 10-pack of kukui nut leis is $89.50, about $8.95 per lei.
How much does it cost to ship a lei from Hawaii?
FedEx 2nd Day shipping starts at $38.50 for the first lei, then about $3 for each additional lei in the same box. Priority Overnight runs $50 for the first lei and about $6 for each after that. Most of the cost is in that first lei because it covers the insulated stay-cool packaging, so sending several leis together costs far less per lei than sending one.
Are mail-order leis actually fresh when they arrive?
Yes, when they ship the right way and someone is there to receive them. Every Flower Leis order travels in insulated packaging with ice gel packs, packed right before FedEx pickup. In summer heat, choose Priority Overnight to keep transit time short, and ship to an address where someone can bring the box inside. Even the best cold packing cannot protect a lei that sits on a doorstep for hours in 100-degree weather.
One more thing to know: flowers are a live crop. Once in a while a style sells out or a flower becomes unavailable because of weather or supply, even on orders placed weeks ahead. At checkout, you choose what happens in that case: we substitute a lei of equal or greater value, call you first, or cancel the order. If you pick the call option, leave a phone number you actually answer.
How far in advance should you order?
Place your order at least 4 days before your event. That gives our warehouse team time to process and pack it, and shipping takes about 2 days. Outside of graduation season, we can usually accommodate an order the same day it needs to ship if you call us. During graduation season, order early: last-minute requests may involve an additional fee. Orders placed after 12:00 noon Hawaii time process the next business day, and FedEx does not pick up on weekends, so a Friday afternoon order ships out on Monday. Need help fast? Call 808-798-6125 between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Hawaii time.
How long does a fresh lei last?
A fresh orchid lei typically stays fresh for at least 2 to 5 days when you refrigerate it in its bag and lightly mist it each day. Ti leaf and leis last longer, and kukui nut leis are not perishable. Plan for the lei to arrive a day before your event, keep it chilled overnight, and it will look its best for the ceremony.
Ready to Send a Fresh Lei from Hawaii?
Ordering for a graduation? Browse graduation leis, or see exact shipping rates and delivery days.
