The first leis weren't just made of flowers, but also shells and bones
Many gifts that are considered quintessentially Hawaiian have their roots in Polynesian and Portuguese culture, with settlers from these areas having put down roots in Hawaii over the centuries. Over hundreds of years, the cultural influences brought to Hawaii have become so thoroughly absorbed and mainstreamed into Hawaiian culture as to become iconic of the islands and the lifestyle there. An authentic Hawaiian gift should convey that instant sense of "Hawaiian-ness," an immediate recognition of a regionally-specific symbolism.
Floral Leis
The tradition of the floral lei was introduced to Hawaii by Polynesian settlers, with the first leis originally made not just of flowers, but also shells, nuts, feathers and the bones of small animals. While leis were often used as beauty statements and fashion accessories, some leis--such as the Maile lei--were meant to signify a peace agreement between rival chiefs.
In the early 20th century, as tourism to Hawaii began to increase, vendors began selling floral leis to tourists as a symbol of welcome and hospitality. The floral lei continues to be a popular way of welcoming tourists to the islands, and is an immediately identifiable Hawaiian cultural symbol that makes for a perfect and thoughtful gift.
Ukuleles
The history of the ukulele in Hawaiian culture dates back to the late 1800s, when large numbers of Portuguese immigrants came to Hawaii to work in the sugar cane fields. Along with them, they brought small, four-string guitars they called "machetes," but the native Hawaiians began to refer to them as ukuleles.
Ukuleles come in four different sizes, each with a different tone and volume: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. They have seen a recent resurgence in popularity, largely due to their ease of mastery and their portability.
Carved Wood Tikis
The original tikis were carved wooden statues meant to represent a Polynesian god. Tiki figures are generally carved with their heads up, their knees bent, and their arms at their sides. This was considered a stance of power in ancient Polynesian culture. Each tiki was carved to convey the personality of the god it represented through facial expressions and other decorative details.
In the 1930s, tikis became very popular as decorations in Hawaiian-themed nightclubs called tiki bars. The popularity of these bars began to wane in the 1970s, though tiki statues continue to be popular as souvenirs and decorations.
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