A touch of aloha in Spokane
Aloha kakou! My name is LeAnne Esperas and I am the lei maker at Pono Lei.
The word pono is complex with many meanings but its also a concept. Most embrace the meanings of goodness, integrity, honesty, balance, well-being, and righteousness. As a concept, pono means being in alignment and balance with oneself, those around you, nature, and life itself. That is the mindset I like to be in when I make lei.
Both of my parents were born and raised on Oahu and graduated from Radford High School. They were among the first in their families to leave the islands to see what opportunity the mainland had to offer and that's how we ended up in Spokane, Washington. We take great pride in bringing the Hawaiian tradition of sharing beautiful lei to the pacific northwest and I am honored to be able to help you recognize important events in your lives.
how to place an order
order time
all of our leis are made by hand. Please order at least 7 days before your pick up date.
pickup and delivery
currently, all orders are local pick up only. Delivery is available within a 20 mile radius of Spokane for an extra fee.
custom orders
each lei is custom made, if you are looking for something specific, please leave a note in the form below.
why leis?
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The lei custom was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian voyagers, who, in their great journey from the island of Tahiti brought with them their tradition of adorning themselves with leaves, flowers, shells and bones in honor of their Gods. With these early settlers, the lei tradition in Hawaii was born.
Over time, the style evolved into two distinct categories, the Poleynsian lei and the contemporary lei.
A Custom of Aloha
In the 1930, there was an influx of tourism to the islands. For visitors, the lei quickly became the symbol of Hawaii that was recognized worldwide.
During the “Boat Days” of the early 1900s, it was customary for lei vendors to line the pier at Aloha Tower to welcome malihini (visitors) to the islands and kama’aina (locals) back home.
Today, leis can be worn, received, or given for almost any occasion. In Hawaii, a lei is given for an office promotion, a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation, or any special event. However, a lei can be worn and enjoyed for no other reason than to enjoy the their beauty, indulge in their fine fragrance, or simply to celebrate the “Aloha Spirit.”
current
offerings
Double large carnation lei - This is a great choice for any celebration. The double lei is made with roughly 45-50 blooms for a lush full look.
Double mini carnation lei - This decadent lei is made with roughly 180-200 small blooms.
Orchid lei - This purple and white dendrobium orchid lei is classic and flown in from Hawaii whenever possible to support island businesses.
Lei po'o / haku / flower crown - Lei po'o are a beloved gift at special occasions like parties, showers, or performances. These are placed on the forehead and tied in the back made with several flowers and colors.
Single ti leaf lei - A simple celebratory gesture with ti leaves twisted together.
Maile style ti leaf lei - This lei is styled after the original maile vine. Its beautiful on its own and can also be enhanced by twisting another strand of flowers around it. This lei is great for graduations and weddings.
Indian mala - Indian flower garlands are used for a variety of occasions. They are commonly 3-3.5 feet long used as a symbol of love and devotion at weddings, celebrations, worship, and other occasions.
Note: Inquire for specialty items and custom orders.
