Meet Pua & Lei

Pua & Lei began long before the name itself.

​

What started as my mother’s small business creating custom party favors and floral arrangements in the late 80s and early 90s eventually grew into a handcrafted lei business — one that was passed down to me in 2026.

​

Some of my fondest childhood memories are of watching my mom and mama create by hand for hula and ʻōri Tahiti competitions. My mom handcrafted every headpiece, skirt, and bodice, while my mama carefully sewed each outfit together. Creativity, culture, and craftsmanship were always intertwined in our family.

​

Over time, their passion became a family business centered around handcrafted fresh flower lei, signature money lei, floral arrangements, island-inspired quilts, and heirloom jewelry. I spent countless hours helping fulfill orders while my mom taught me the art and tradition of lei making along the way.

​

In high school, I began carrying the tradition in my own way by creating custom prom and formal florals for local schools. During graduation season, I would sit alongside my mom helping handcraft lei late into the night — something that never felt like work, but time spent together.

​

As the years passed, my mom slowly stepped away from the business and encouraged me to continue what she had built. At the time, I did not feel fully called to take it on. After having my daughter in 2022, I made my first lei in years for her birth announcement. Then came birthdays filled with carefully curated themes, that reignited my love for creating by hand and reminded me how much I missed the art of lei making.

​

Following a career shift in late 2025 after more than 12 years in the design industry, I felt pulled back to where it all began. While I had continued making modern ribbon lei throughout the years, I had never fully pursued the tradition. I had also built another small business dedicated to honoring my late father — something my mom always supported wholeheartedly. Eventually, I realized I wanted to honor her legacy, too.

​

What was once All Things Aloha became Pua & Lei — named after my mother’s nickname for me, “Pua,” and my nickname for my daughter, “Lei.”

​

Today, Pua & Lei is rooted in legacy, tradition, and aloha. Through handcrafted lei, florals, and community-centered experiences, we hope to celebrate culture, connection, and the generations that inspire us.