Flower Markets in Hilo

[gracecarmo]

Hilo will be our first stop in Feb. (Celebrity Summit) when we reach the islands. I would like to purchase some flowers, especially an orchid lei, and antheriums(sp?).
Is there a market place where flowers are sold, like vendors around the port area?

[bug_dan]

When you exit the ship there is a long building that you go through. There are several vendors there selling leis and flowers for the cabin as well as other souveneirs.

[suziehmkr]

Dan - got another question for you. If we purchase when we get off the ship, do you know if they will hold them for us for when we get back from town? I have heard that they often run out of some of the arrangements, especially the $10 ones.

[bug_dan]

Never tried that but I would think they would do it. I guess it's possible that they wouldn't want to stay until the ship sails if they run out of merchandise early but the one's we've dealt with seem to go out of their way to please us.

[suziehmkr]

Thanks Dan... I suppose, I could always "run" it back up to the cabin for heading off to get the rental car. hee hee

[beachchick]

suziehmkr: Aloha again. May I suggest that one of your party (you, I'm guessing), "run" back to the cabin with your leis and arrangments, while another goes and gets the car and then drives back to the port to pick you up? It's not very far at all, and might save you time in the long run. (Just a thought.)

Also, orchid leis tend to last beautifully and are not overpoweringly fragrant (thus, excellent choices, especially to wear to dinner and such; you should definitely get one for everyone), but orchids are not native to Hawaii. With the good prices you are likely to find, I heartily recommend you also buy a few inexpensive, and more traditional, plumeria leis. They smell wonderful and are so pretty. Also, micro-ginger is made into wonderful flat leis (you see them on brides quite often). Micro-ginger doesn't last nearly as well as orchids, and is a splurge, but it's just so beautiful for formal night. Men do very well in leis with seeds, leaves, and other "manly" items (if that makes sense). DH isn't fond of wearing "big" leis made of larger flowers, but will don one of the smaller, more subtle ones.

Many/most people don't wear leis all the time. I am not one of them. One trip, I felt weird a few times because not that many people were walking around with a lei on most of the time and so I left mine off during the day. Next trip, I said, "The 'H' with that worry! I'm wearing one all day and evening, unless we're going to the beach or pool." It feels so lovely, and DH says I glow when I'm adorned with flowers.

And a final suggestion, many people love the look and smell of tuberoses, which are found in many leis. No problem, BUT they are so extremely fragrant that I urge everyone not to wear them to meals. I had one lei that was roses and tuberoses one time that I wore to dinner at an outdoor restaurant. It was so fragrant that we could "taste" the smell instead of our food. I took it off and vowed never to do that again. It's just common sense, IMO, not to wear something heavily scented to a meal. (Not saying you were planning to, of course. This is just a general suggestion for everyone on the boards.)

Enjoy the islands.

beachchick

[beachin']

suziehmkr-
Not sure about your cruise line, but NCL gave us forms to pre-order the cabin bouquets from Alika's, and you just had to drop off the form in a designated order box by 9am. You pick up your bouquet from Alika's booth at the pier anytime prior to all-aboard time.

[suziehmkr]

Everyone on this board is so helpful.... I enjoy the Ports of Call boards much more than the main cruiseline boards just because everyone is so darn nice!

beachin' - that would be great if Princess does that, but I haven't heard anyone report back.

beachchick - love the ideas you have given me. I can send DH off to get the car while DD & I take the flowers back to the cabin. Imagine walking in the cabin once they have been in there all day!

I do know what you mean about overly fragrant flowers. I used to work in the office of a large flower grower, and quickly learned which flowers belong on my desk and which ones don't! LOL Thanks for all of the info on the lei.... I did get very nice silk ones for the formal nights BEFORE we hit the Islands, as I am sure there will be at least one... and had planned to get fresh ones for the "ride" home. Thanks bunches!!

[beachchick]

suziehmkr: Sounds like you are all set for a wonderful experience.

beachchick

[CRUSINGFAMILY]

Just another thought about fragrant leis at dinner.

As a cancer survivor, I can tell you that I have an increased sensitivity to smell. Anyone doing any form of chemotherapy will be in this position. It took me over five years after chemotherapy to be able to wear even the mildest of perfume.

So the point I'm trying to make is that if you are thinking about wearing a lei to dinner other than the "taste perspective", there could be other reasons to choose a non-fragrant lei for that purpose.

Someone else in the dining room might really appreciate your kindness.:)

[SeaYa52]

Are there flower markets like the one in Hilo in all the Hawiian ports- by the dock? We sail from Oahu and hit Maui and Kauai before Hilo. I do want to pick up an arrangement & leis asap - before the ship heads for Tahiti. Anyone know?
:-)
Thanks!

[suziehmkr]

There is usually a good sized booth right in the building when you get off the ship in Hilo. This is where we had planned to purchase our arrangement for the trip back. However, for some reason they were closed the day we were there. :(

[jaynak]

slsmartin - I didn't see any flowers arrangements or leis for sale in Oahu, Maui or Kauai right near the dock (or anywhere for that matter). Maybe someone else did though?..... In HILO there were 4 or 5 vendors in the big building where you get off the ship who had lots and lots of arrangements and leis. They were more than happy to hold them for you for the day. In KONA there were leis for sale at the Farmer's Market which is just a little walk from the dock (we were in Kona on a Saturday so not sure if it is on everyday) They were very, very fragrant - so much so I didn't buy one even though they were gorgeous. Jayna

[spleen93]

On Oahu, I recommend going to Chinatown to get your leis - easy walking distance from Aloha Tower. The best leis anywhere on the island for some of the best prices.

Spleen

[SeaYa52]

Thanks for the tip on Hilo - and thanks to Spleen - best sourse for info on HAwaii. You had suggested Chinatown on another post. I appreciate all your input. Even though we've visited the islands several times I always learn more from your posts. Guess we'll wait for Hilo to get our arrangement for the ship (still will have plenty of cruise left). But will hit CT for leis before we sail. Which street in CT? Any particular shop?
Thanks,
Sandy

[spleen93]

Sandy - I like Cindy's Lei shop - I think that they're still open (I remember hearing about a lei shop in Chinatown that was closing but don't think it was Cindy's).

http://www.chinatownhi.com/map.asp

Spleen

[sherry7]

Hilo is the first stop on our 14 day cruise in May, sounds like we'll be getting our cabin arrangement and leis there. :)

If I don't wear my lei during the day, should I keep it in the refridgerator in the cabin to keep it fresh longer? Any other tips on getting it to last for 8 or 9 days?

[spleen93]

Definitely keep it in the fridge. It'll last longer - though 8-9 days is asking a lot. Orchid leis have the best luck lasting that long - maybe the hardier plants like the seagrape, he'e, cigar leis. Microginger will generally die within a day or two.

Spleen

[sherry7]

Definitely keep it in the fridge. It'll last longer - though 8-9 days is asking a lot. Orchid leis have the best luck lasting that long - maybe the hardier plants like the seagrape, he'e, cigar leis. Microginger will generally die within a day or two.

Spleen

Thanks Spleen, you're a wealth of information. :)

[uktog]

Plan to get a lei and a nice arrangement for the suite in Hilo on the pierside (will not have time to look elsewhere but from what I have read hre the pierside people seem OK) My question is, how much should I expect to pay say for an orchid Lei and a medium sized arrangement. (I usually have a $48 bouquet in the room that I do on bon voyage gifts but plan to wait this time for 5 days)
Ta

[spleen93]

Orchid leis should cost between $5-10 depending on where you buy them from. Dunno about the arrangement - maybe somebody who's bought something from the Hilo pier can answer.

Spleen

[uktog]

thanks I am really looking forward to buying a lovely lei good to hear the price spleen

[RunningDeer]

Spleen and Beachick.......You two are the best!!!! :D

[Bucky3]

You will be amazed at the flower arrangement prices at the dock in Hilo. I usually just get the $10 one to put on the desk, but the larger ones are beautiful if you don't mind giving up some counter space. I can just about guarantee you won't spend more than $20 on a big arrangement. Oh, I want to go back!! Aloha!

[beachchick]

Spleen and Beachick.......You two are the best!!!! :D

Mahalo for the compliment! As a mainlander, it's a treat for me to be included with Spleen and all the wonderful Hawaii locals.

(Can you tell my DH and I love the islands?)

beachchick

[spleen93]

We're waiting for you to come back, beachchick! :D

Spleen

[beachchick]

We can't wait...but I guess we'll have to. I have to say that it kind of "felt" like Hawaii here today. We had a mass of warm, wet tropical air come in and even had a few sprinkles of rain. DH and I were driving home from an appt, and I was looking out the window at the palm trees with the clouds and warm air. I couldn't help but say, "Feels like Hawaii today, doesn't it?" To which my DH replied, "Yes, but where's your mai tai?"

beachchick

[iamanoak]

You may want to consider the Hilo Farmer's Market as well. There are more than a few vendors carrying everything in flowers you may want.

[RunningDeer]

Hilo is the LAST stop on our trip and I just hate to wait til then to get flowers........I've read about Chinatown but are there any places in Kauai, our first stop? Thanx in advance!

[kapoho2]

You will have no problem finding flowers on any of the islands. Lei are available in all Walmarts, Kmarts, grocery stores, etc. Many times little mom and pop type shops will have cut flowers that come from their own gardens for sale. When you reach a port, just ask anyone you see and I am sure they can point you in the right direction. Have fun!

[beachchick]

RunningDeer: As mentioned, you'll be able to find flowers just about anywhere. In fact, Foodland and some of the other grocery stores have really nice leis for good prices. For arrangements, I'm trying to recall (my memory kind of stinks, so I could be mixing this up with another island), but I think there was a swap meet kind of thing on Kauai in Lihui not far from the airport. I'm not sure if it's a regular thing or if it's only on specific days or what, but I do remember driving by and seeing quite a few stands. You might want to check the Chamber of Commerce website for Kauai because they may list Farmers Markets, swap meets, or other things like that. Also, the little stands and shops that kapoho2 mentions really can be fabulous, and talk about supporting the local economy--doesn't get much better than that. Just ask when you get off the ship; usually the locals are more than happy to help.

beachchick

[RunningDeer]

This is so good to hear! Thank you all who responded. :D

[xpcdoojk]

On our first trip to Hilo in 2001, my wife wanted one of the nut leis with the green leaves, and they didn't have them at the pier side building. We had a rental and after driving thru Volcanoes we looked all over the town for them and had no luck. The next trip in 2003 we again, looked for them, finally we found a shop where they made them, but they were done for the day. They told us to go to the Hilo airport which is not a problem because that is where the rental car return is. They had a much larger selection of leis there than at the pier. My wife still has her lei to this day and it still looks pretty good.

jc