Getting Lei'd at the Airport

Hawaii-vacationing virgins might imagine getting lei’d by grass-skirted beauties or bare-chested flame-throwers upon deplaning at the airport. After all, movies and TV shows have depicted such scenes as something of a right-of-passage. For some, having that distinctly Hawaiian floral necklace draped around their necks with a ceremonious “Aloha!” is akin to Tattoo from Fantasy Island ringing the bell and shouting “de plane, de plane”—it signifies the start of a magical, tropical adventure. Unfortunately, however, getting lei’d at the airport isn’t going to happen—unless you pay for it. While most commercial airlines don’t provide a traditional lei greeting upon arrival in Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines offers it for a fee. Plus, there are numerous independent companies that will gladly lei you at—or just outside—the arrival gate. Much like a car service, lei greetings are pre-arranged—with the traveler providing flight information (and payment) in advance. There’s typically a variety of styles to choose from—including fresh flowers, braided leaves, or kukui nut leis—priced from $20 and up. Several reputable businesses provide this traditional and memorable experience—and while you shouldn’t expect those bare-chested flame-throwers to show up at the airport, most will send a friendly representative clad in modern, Hawaii-themed attire. While I was lucky enough to get lei’d by friends on my first trip to Hawaii, my parents used a service. Despite an in-flight delay and late arrival on Oahu, the coveted lei greeting was waiting as they got off the plane. Their greeter even managed to expedite the baggage claim procedure and arrange quick ground transportation. Not only was the experience spot-on, but these Hawaiian newbies were blown away by the leis themselves—fresh arrangements that provided beauty and fragrance for the entire week of their trip. Getting lei’d at the airport is just one of the many ways to enhance your Hawaiian vacation. To reserve your lei greeting, get on the Internet and browse some of the many options available. Typing “Hawaii lei greeting” into your search engine will yield numerous results—you can book online or call to finalize your plans. Put “getting lei’d” on your Hawaiian to-do list, and a little piece of “Aloha” will be waiting for you in paradise…