Almost everyone loves a lei--the making, giving, receiving, and wearing of the lei is a cherished Hawai'i tradition recognized worldwide. With the renaissance in Hawaiian culture sweeping the islands, growing plants that provide lei materials can be a source of pride and pleasure for the home gardener, an economic opportunity for green-thumb entrepreneurs, and can reduce gathering pressure on the few precious remaining areas of native Hawaiian vegetation.

This book contains information on growing 85 plants that can provide flowers or foliage for lei. Some are traditionally used...

Taro (Colocasia esculenta, kalo in Hawaiian) has always been an important food crop for the Hawaiian people and has a special place within the culture of Hawai'i. This book provides detailed information on growing taro, under both non-flooded and flooded conditions, in locations ranging from backyard gardens to commercial fields or lo'i. The information provided stresses a best-practices approach to minimize risk of reduced crop yield or quality. In combining the knowledge and experience of many people, this guide illustrates the potential success that can result when agricultural...