How to Travel with a Lei from Hawaii to California

A lei is one of the most popular souvenirs obtained by Hawaiian tourists. But this string of flowers that you place around your neck will not remain fresh and vibrant for long. True leis are made from fresh flowers, which will eventually begin to shrivel and dry out. To preserve the lei for as long as possible, or at least until you get back to California, there are a few steps you must take.

Instructions

1

Wait until your Hawaiian vacation is nearing its end before purchasing the lei. Once the flowers are plucked from the ground and cut from their stem and root, they are no longer alive. So buying the lei right before you leave the island will provide you with a three- to five-day window before the blossoms begin to shrivel.

2

Place the lei in a plastic container or bag. Many leis come in a container which you can use to store it.

3

Put the container or bag holding the lei in the refrigerator and keep it there until it is time to go to the airport or travel. If you don't have a refrigerator available, place the container on ice. You can fill a cooler or your hotel sink with ice.

4

Keep the lei in its cooled container during travel, and place it back in the refrigerator when you reach your destination.