I have an absolute weakness for Plumerias. When in Hawai’i, I cannot walk past a single flower that has dropped to the ground, I just have to take the time to pick it up to stick it in my hair, place it on a table to be admired, or bring it to someone else in need of adornment. After a day on the beach, there is nothing I love more than dropping a chilly string of fragrant Plumerias over my shoulders and letting them drop to the back of my neck. At the end of the evening, I like to hang the flowers near my bed so I can smell that unique scent wafting in the tropical breeze throughout the night.
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| plumeria lei |
There are many different colors of Plumerias {aka Frangipani}, and each color has a different scent. My favorite is the pale yellow and cream colored flowers, it’s difficult to describe the scent they emit… after giving it much thought I would say it smells something like a ripe~peach, ginger custard, with bits of candied ginger mixed in and well chilled.
See? Weakness, bordering on obsession.
I’ve always been curious about the simple sign by the Kona airport at Keahole {KOA}, with the stenciled letters PLUMERIA LEIS and a phone number. Well, on our final day, my daughter and I had a few minutes to look into this mysterious sign, and our research paid off sweetly!
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| Plumeria grove, the big island Hawai’i |
One sign led another, as we drove by blocks of Plumeria groves.
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| Sign for Green Acres Plumeria Leis, at Ka’iminani Dr. and Pukiawe on the big island. |
Within minutes we were turning into a modest driveway. My daughter started to get nervous, but I couldn’t stop the pursuit.
This sign pointed to a refrigerator in the carport.
Wallet in hand, I sprung from the car, opened the refrigerator door and was transported to floral heaven. Self-serve fresh, beautiful Plumeria leis, bags and bags of them!!
While I stood and stared in awe the farmer came out of the house. He and his family have owned and managed “Greene Acres” {acres of Plumeria trees} for years. They pick and string the Plumerias every morning during the season to keep the refrigerator stocked.
They can also make leis to order, so, if you’re on the island, stop by or give them a call at 808~329~2399.
So glad I had picked up this darling soft sided Igloo cooler set at Costco after lunch. The large bag {with a bags of ice} kept my leis cool and fresh all the way home!!
Aloha!
SO beautiful and the fragrance sounds heavenly!!
Emily the Plumeria are wonderful and I love your new Igloo set! Perfect, plus good looking!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Plumeria is my favorite too. I love them so much I even tried to grow a tree here. I get about 3 flowers a year
Don't you just love how the air smells of Plumeria.
Such beautiful flowers, Emily! I want to go now!
I love the cooler and will see if my Cosco carries it. Would be great for an infinite number of uses.
Happy Wednesday.
Teresa
xoxo
What a beautiful, dreamy post…we loved all of the plumeria in Bali too. Their scent, combined with tropical heat, makes for a magical combination!
Your description was so good, I could actually smell plumeria! Love your sense of adventure! We would be dangerous together
Marina ~ I am impressed you have flowers! I've tried to grow them over the years, but never even get a leaf. How tall is your tree?
SS and K ~ the coolers are great. I wish I had bought more for gifts. They came in yellow and pink too. Such a great size!
Barbara ~ Dying to go to Bali since seeing your photos, and they have plumerias too??? What do they call them there?
Serena ~ I hope we have a chance to test that theory someday! When do you come to Seattle?
Love all of your comments!!! xo ebh
Does this place still exist?
I hope so, A. Have you tried to contact them?