Seamus Hammond
Hawaii is known for its fragrant flowers, many of which are used in perfumes. One of the most popular Hawaiian flowers used in perfumery is pikake, a species of jasmine that was brought to the islands in the 1800s and named by Princess Ka'iulani after her favourite bird, the peacock. Pikake is also used to flavour jasmine tea and is often added to leis. Other flowers commonly used in Hawaiian perfumes include tuberose, gardenia, plumeria, and puakenikeni. Tuberose, in particular, is known for its sweet and long-lasting fragrance, while gardenia has a waxy scent and is native to tropical regions of Africa, Australia, and South Asia. Plumeria, also known as frangipani, is not native to Hawaii but has become widely associated with the islands due to its intoxicating sweet fragrance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hawaiian name | Pīkake, Puakenikeni |
| Botanical name | Jasminum sambac |
| Colour | White |
| Scent | Sweet |
| Other uses | Flavouring for tea, Leis, Body oil |
| Other flowers used in Hawaiian perfumes | Tuberose, Gardenia, Tiare flower, Plumeria, Sandalwood |
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What You'll Learn
Pikake, or Jasmine
Pikake is a fragrant, ever-blooming plant with small buds that bloom from small, spreading trees. The flowers are white and bell-shaped, with a strong and pure fragrance. They are often added to unscented leis to give them a perfume. Pikake buds are woven together to make a "rope lei", which is often worn by brides, hula dancers and honoured guests.
Pikake is also used to flavour jasmine tea and make perfumes. The blossoms are distilled and purified until the essence remains, which is then used to make perfumes. The perfume can also be used for aromatherapy or crafts, such as candle-making.
Pikake is not native to Hawaii. It was brought to the islands in the 1800s and has since thrived there. It is also grown commercially in countries such as India, Thailand, China and the Philippines for its fresh flowers, which are used in flavouring for tea and perfume.
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Gardenia
In Hawaii, gardenias are commonly used to make leis, along with other flowers such as plumerias, jasmine, and pikake. Pikake, or jasmine, is another popular flower in Hawaii with a strong and pure fragrance. It was introduced to the islands in the 1800s and was named by Princess Ka'iulani, who loved both the flower and peacocks. The small, white, bell-shaped flowers are often added to unscented leis to give them a perfume.
The Tiare flower, or Tahitian Gardenia, is another variety of gardenia that is commonly used to make leis in Hawaii. It has glossy, dark green leaves and a snow-white, pinwheel-shaped flower with a sweet and subtle scent.
In summary, gardenias are popular flowers in Hawaii and are commonly used to create perfumes, cosmetics, and other scented products. They are also used to make leis and are known for their beautiful fragrance, which has a calming and relaxing effect on the recipient.
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Tuberose
In addition to its use in perfumery, the tuberose is also commonly used in Hawaiian leis. The delicate white flowers are strung together to create beautiful and fragrant garlands, often worn by brides, hula dancers, and honoured guests. The tuberose lei is highly regarded and considered a symbol of Hawaiian culture.
The tuberose is also a popular flower for floral displays and landscaping. It is easy to grow and maintain, thriving in full sun with minimal care. The tuberose blooms constantly throughout the year, making it a worthwhile addition to any garden. Its year-round blooms ensure a constant source of fragrance and beauty.
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Plumeria
In Hawaiian legend, the Plumeria flower is associated with the volcano goddess, Pele. The story goes that a man named 'Ōhi'a, who was loved by Pele, turned her down because he was in love with another woman, Lehua. In response, Pele transformed 'Ōhi'a into a tree, and the gods transformed Lehua into a blossom on the tree so the two would be forever united.
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Sandalwood
The fragrant flowers of the sandalwood tree are used in lei-making and in some niche local products and fragrances. For example, sandalwood is used in Mystic Rose's 'Iliahi Organic Perfume Oil and 'Iliha Skin Oil, sourced from a family-owned and operated farm on Hawai'i Island, contributing to the restoration of Hawaiian Sandalwood forests.
Today, sandalwood is still allowed to be harvested in Hawai'i, and its fragrant flowers continue to be used in local products, including perfumes, showcasing the unique and captivating scents of the Hawaiian islands.
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Frequently asked questions
Some Hawaiian flowers used in perfumes include pikake (jasmine), gardenia, tuberose, and plumeria.
Pikake means peacock in Hawaiian and was named by Princess Ka’iulani, who loved both the flower and the bird.
Sandalwood is native to Hawaii and was its first export. The fragrant flowers of the sandalwood tree are used in some niche local fragrances.
